Dublin is a great city for shopping for a number of different reasons. As with so many cities, you’ll find different areas of Dublin have different vibes, from the antique quarter beside us here in the Liberties to the grungy vintage and skater shops of Temple Bar or the high-end and high street shops and department stores of Grafton Street.
Another big reason it’s so great to shop in. It’s incredibly walkable. Being compact in size, you can easily make your way around the city centre on foot over a day and get to so many of the best shops and shopping areas in the city. Mind you, if you’re laden down with shopping bags, you might not want to walk everywhere – but 10-15 minutes on a LUAS will take you from the markets of Moore Street to the boutiques of Ballsbridge too.
Wherever you want to go in Dublin and whatever you want to buy, there’s something for everyone. To help you decide where to head, we’ve created a mini guide to some of Dublin’s best shopping streets and districts…
The heart and soul of Dublin’s retail, Grafton Street stretches from Stephen’s Green all the way up to Trinity College. The city’s main shopping thoroughfare, it’s home to the world’s biggest fashion retailers, department stores, designer labels, skincare, and beauty names and much more.
Don’t miss Brown Thomas, a luxury department store that’s known for stocking high-end designers like Hermes and Chanel, has superb homeware and gift departments, and a cosmetics and perfume hall that dreams are made of. Even if you’re not splashing out, you’ll enjoy browsing beautiful Brown Thomas.
For designer names at discount prices, you can head to TK Maxx upstairs in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, and here you’ll also find some unique boutiques and shops stocking interesting Irish and International designers.
This one is especially good if it’s raining outside, since you can enjoy the sheltered safety of this roofed arcade between George’s Street and Drury Street. It’s a place for the weird and wonderful, the cool and eclectic, the bizarre and bespoke. In the Arcade, which has been a hub for vendors to peddle their wares since 1881, you’ll find over forty different shops and stalls selling vintage clothing, second-hand books, artwork, handmade jewellery, artisanal crafts, and food produce and much more.
It’s all quite affordable (if not necessarily cheap), and great for those who love to root around the chaos and find some special pieces. It’s a fantastic place to get unique gifts for people and to support small Irish businesses, with many artists and vendors selling solo here
Gorgeous Georgian elegance in the heart of Dublin, the Powerscourt Townhouse is another, slightly fancier place you can escape to if it starts to rain, and you want to browse in safe shelter. It’s beautiful in the sunshine too though, to be honest – sunlight streaming through the glass roof of the atrium illuminates the place beautifully.
It’s a high-end kind of place, floors full of beautiful and bespoke Irish craftsmen and designers, with furniture, homeware, jewellery, clothing and more available. Keep an eye out for Chupi, for handmade Irish jewellery, Atrium for stunning sustainable fashion by local designers like Electronic Sheep, or Article for sophisticated and stylish homeware. You’ll find beautiful, special vintage jewellery and fashion here too, and some great spots to grab lunch or a drink - the Pepperpot Cafe is a great spot to take a shopping break.
Next, we’re sending you to suburbia, and to Dundrum where the massive Town Centre awaits. This is easy to get to, just 20 minutes or so from the city centre by LUAS, and what you’ll find when you get there is worth the trip.
It’s like a mini village unto itself, a huge four-level complex that houses over a hundred different stores from luxury retailers like Harvey Nichols and Brown Thomas to high-street staples like River Island, H&M, Zara and Massimo Dutti, and of course Ireland’s beloved budget department store, Penneys.
If you get sick of shopping there’s also a 12-screen cinema, a bowling alley, adventure golf, and lots of great dining options
It’s a little more niche but Francis Street, just a few minutes’ walk from us in the heart of the Liberties, is famous for being Dublin’s antique quarter and is a fantastic place to wander and explore. It’s lined with charming little shops like O’Sullivan Antiques, Johnston Antiques, and The Irish Chandler, offering beautifully curated collections of antiques with everything from fine Georgian silver to sleek, slick mid-century furniture and rare Irish artifacts. You may not be in the market for a sideboard, but a browse here is a joy and who knows what curiosities you might find.
If you are looking for a souvenir, Dublin has plenty of Irish gift shops to choose from, such as Carrols and Avoca Handweavers, where you can find a small Irish memento to take home and remember your trip. The Guinness Storehouse also features a fabulous gift shop offering unique and memorable products that capture the essence of Ireland's most famous stout. Visitors can explore an array of merchandise ranging from stylish apparel adorned with the Guinness logo to exclusive glassware perfect for enjoying a pint at home. For those looking to bring a taste of Ireland back with them, the shop features an assortment of gourmet treats infused with the rich flavours of Guinness, including chocolates and sauces. Whether you're a dedicated beer enthusiast or simply seeking a special souvenir, the Guinness Storehouse gift shop is perfect for picking up something after enjoying your beer tasting experience and tour.
Don’t forget to book your ticket to the Guinness Storehouse before visiting the gift shop!