Whether you’re in Dublin for a quick overnight or weekend break or spending some time getting to know the capital city, Shopping in Dublin should be high on your bucket list. Book your stay in Ashling Hotel, on the very edge of the city, and enjoy our ideal location for exploring, shopping, and relaxing in Dublin. It’s also perfect to drop off your bags, refresh, and head back out for more retail therapy. Here are some of our best tips to get the most from your Dublin shopping trip.
1. High Street Shopping
Dublin is a stylish city with high street favourites on every corner. Head to the Henry St/Mary St area for some of the best high-street shopping of any capital city in Europe. You’ll find favourites like Zara, River Island, Topshop, JD Sports, Next & so much more, You’ll find bargains to suit all ages and sizes in the first-ever, world-famous Penneys (Primark to our UK neighbours) with two large stores to chose from on O Connell St & Mary Street. The H&M store on nearby Dame Street is in one of the more beautiful and impressive buildings on the street, a former Victorian Bank Building, and has 5 stories of fashion.
2. High-End Shopping
Grafton Street is a household name for high-end shopping in Dublin with hugely popular brands like Cath Kidston, The White Company, Reiss, and Tommy Hilfiger taking flagship positions. Crowned by the beautiful Stephens Green Park, Grafton Street also has Stephens Green Shopping Centre which is packed with unique & chain shops & is a beautiful addition to any shopping trip. For a truly high-end experience, make time to visit Brown Thomas, Dublin’s number one designer department store with many expensive brands in makeup, footwear, handbags, and clothing. Make sure to bring a keen eye & a credit card as there are many irresistible outlets inside.
3. Alternative & Boutique Shopping
Powerscourt Shopping shopping centre is set in a renovated Georgian House along trendy South William Street, close to Grafton Street. You’ll find many designer boutiques from Irish & international designers selling everything from clothing and footwear to art & jewellery. They have some beautiful cafes and natural light illuminates the building from a glass roof.
Along the surrounding streets, you’ll find many alternative shops including vintage and thrift shops with some of the best bargains this side of the Liffey. Siopaella is a great shop for bargain second-hand designer goods & they always have something you’ll fall in love with. Folkster is a shop that went from pop-up to household name in a very short space. They specialise in truly unique wedding & bridesmaids dresses but cater to all tastes.
If you love rummaging to find a hidden gem, head to Camden Street where you’ll find more than a handful of second-hand and charity shops brimming with bargains. Best of all, you’re giving something that may have been thrown out a second chance while donating to some very worthy causes like NCBI, Oxfam & Alone.
4. Shopping for Irish Gifts
Many overseas visitors like to take something uniquely Irish home for friends and family & to remind them of a time well spent on the Emerald Isle. Try to avoid tacky souvenir shops unless you’re looking for something cheesy and shamrock/leprechaun-related. Instead, head to Avoca or the Kilkenny Shop to find something quality that you’ll treasure forever, They sell so many great quality pieces like Aran Jumpers, Claddagh rings, Irish-made candles, blankets, scarves jewellery, ornaments, and keepsakes. Alternatively, head to one of the many Butlers Chocolate shops for a pick-me-up and some of the finest Irish treats. Anything Guinness or Jameson-related always goes down well too.
The best thing about using Ashling Hotel for your shopping trip to Dublin is the accessibility. If you get tired or have over-shopped and can’t manage any more bags, simply hop on the Luas for 5-minutes, drop your bags, refresh in the Iveagh bar with a glass of wine or a coffee and get back our bargain hunting!
Author Bio: Katie McGarr is a resident writer for Ashling Hotel Dublin, a luxury 4 star hotel in the heart of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, stuated in close proximity to Phoenix Park, The Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Zoo. When she’s not taking vibrant street photos, you can find her writing articles about travel, food, and lifestyle.
