IF you think Dublin’s retail options are limited to dainty Belleek china, chunky cable-knit fisherman’s sweaters and cheesy four-leaf-clover pendants, you’re in for a big surprise.
The unexpected truth is that today’s Ireland is home to some of the top shopping in the western world.
Awash in Internet cash and nowadays home to an overwhelmingly young, freewheeling population, modern Dublin is a design and fashion lover’s dream.
Here are our picks of the best indigenous shops in the capital.
COSTUME
This wee boutique looks straight out of SoHo.
On a corner of downtown Dublin’s lively, pedestrian-only Grafton Street district, Costume’s gorgeous, modern couture clothes and quirky jewelry (created by a mix of local and internationally known designers and artisans) are 100 percent hand-picked by mother-daughter owners Billie and Tracy Tucker.
Trust them -these gals have got absolutely peerless taste.
The perfect shop if your style’s like: Sienna Miller, Keira Knightly.
10-11 Castle Market
LOUISE KENNEDY
You’ll feel like you’ve just been invited to tea at the poshest home in town.
The eponymous boutique’s owner lives on the top floors of this elegant townhouse where you’ll find delicate tunics for your next trip to Mustique, hand-blown crystal Champagne flutes for celebrating the journey, and clean-lined leather blanket holders for laying on the beach (among other opulent housewares like silver, fine linens and china). By appointment.
Who’d be right at home here: Catherine Zeta Jones, Julie Christie.
56 Merrion Square
NO. 6
This Castle Market gem is the flagship for designer Helen McAlinden, Ireland’s answer to Donna Karan.
In addition to her tailored, clean-lined womenswear, No. 6 is home to a beautiful collection of vintage furniture and linen and housewares. Also on hand is the work of lovely shopkeeper Loll – yes, just Loll – who creates fanciful hats and headpieces that are all the rage at posh Irish society weddings and horse shows.
Just right for: Angelina Jolie (version 2.0) and Claire Danes.
6 Castle Market
POWERSCOURT DESIGN CENTER
The charming hodgepodge that is the Powerscourt shopping center dates back to 1774, when it was the home of Lord Powerscourt.
It features glass-covered atriums and old brick residences amalgamated into a most unusual mall.
But the top stop is this laboratory for young designers on the second floor.
Designed like a 1930s Hollywood boudoir, it’s filled to the rafters with the work of both local and international designers. (While here, another essentially Dublin shop is Windsor Antiques.
Specializing in Irish collectables, Windsor offers a well-edited mix of fine jewelry, watches, oil paintings and whimsical pottery.)
Who might I see there? Scarlett Johansson in the Design Center, Martha Stewart at Windsor Antiques.
Powerscourt Shopping Centre, South William Street
CIARAN SWEENEY
This popular Irish textiles designer -celebrated for years for his home décor items – has just opened his first accessories and house-wares shop.
Sweeney’s rich, jewel-toned, crushed-velvet scarves and throws make for perfectly packable (or, if you’re feeling up to it, carry-on) gifts.
The attractive store is set in the CHQ, a group of refurbished Dublin City warehouses that have now been given over to residential and retail space.
Potential fans: Oprah, Arden Wohl.
Unit 12E, IDA Centre, The CHQ Building, 12 Newmarket Square