Vintage Finds to Local Craft: 20 Unique Shops in Ireland You’ll Love
Whether you’re looking for shopping in Dublin or hoping to find local, handmade goods in County Clare, I’m sharing 20 unique shops in Ireland. Shopping small, local stores allows you to experience the culture of Ireland while finding unique souvenirs for yourself and others.
This list focuses on the three areas we journeyed to while in Ireland – Dublin, County Kerry, and County Clare.
Shopping in Dublin
We stopped into many of these stores while in Dublin, and I specifically chose shops that are easily walkable from each other and the Dublin City Centre. Many of them are located on or around Drury Street (as well as near other sites I mentioned in my post – Beyond the Guidebook – A Curated 2-Day Dublin Itinerary).
1.) Hodges Figgis: I love a good bookstore, and I can’t resist one that’s been open since 1768. The selection here was fantastic and included a variety of Irish works, both old and new! I enjoy gifting unique books to our littles, and we purchased a collection of Irish fairy tales here! Definitely one of my favorite unique shops in Ireland.
2.) Fallon & Byrne: In need of a snack? We stocked up on road trip snacks and fresh fruits at this award winning food hall! Freshly baked bread, artisanal crackers, chocolate bars, Irish cheeses – if you’re a foodie, this stop is for you! If you’re not planning on driving out of Dublin, consider this stop to build your own picnic or charcuterie board.
3.) Kevin & Howlin: A traditional tweed shop, this might have to make your list if you’re looking for new Irish duds! It was fun to peek in the window as we passed and see all of the colors and variety of tweed!
4.) Irish Design Shop: Selling traditional and modern Irish handicrafts, Irish Design Shop is well-known for unique gifts.
5.) Om Diva: A super fun boutique with a retro vibe, Om Diva carries both vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories. I loved looking at all the fun jewelry here, organized on shelves by color!
6.) Industry & Co: Industry & Co. actually has three separate locations near Drury Street – Home, Barn (Kids), and Life! We visited all three, and found the prettiest Irish-made wool blankets for gifts at the Home location. The boutiques are beautiful, but my favorite part was the kindness of the employees and their willingness to chat as they wrapped our gifts.
7.) Jenny Vander: Another fun stop if you love vintage clothing, Jenny Vader carries only true vintage clothing and accessories. They’re best known for their ball gowns, but I loved the vintage earrings! Stock changes weekly, so you never know what you’ll find!
8.) Designist: This quirky gift shop is known for its selection of stationary and gift cards, specifically ones made by Irish artists. They also carry unique and trendy homewares, perfect for finding an usual gift.
9.) Avoca (Suffolk Street): The Anthropologie of Ireland, Avoca carries a variety of on-trend home goods, books, and gift items. But my favorite part? The beautifully colored wool scarves and blankets made in their Wicklow mill, just like they have been since 1723. Avoca is also known for its wonderful cafés! Not able to stop in Dublin? There are 14 locations across Ireland (one listed below!).
10.) Powerscourt Townhouse Centre: Rather than a single store, Powerscourt is built into an old Dublin townhome and features multiple stores and even houses a cafe, surrounded by potted plants, in the middle. We visited Article, a small home homewares shop with a variety of fun and unusual items, from both designers worldwide and local, Irish artists. (Article is in what was once Lord Powerscourt’s dressing room!)
11.) Sheridan’s Cheesemongers: If Irish cheese is what you’re after, there’s no better stop in Dublin than Sheridan’s Cheesemongers! This quaint shop near Grafton Street (which is home to all of the “big name” stores in Dublin!) carries a wide selection of Irish and European cheeses, as well as charcuterie, wines, and sandwiches!
Unique Shops in County Kerry
If you’re looking for local shopping on the Ring of Kerry, these are my picks! We were surprised how much we loved the town of Kenmare, and all but the first shop are located there.
12.) Avoca (Moll’s Gap): Not only does this Avoca location carry the amazing selection of homewares, gifts, and Irish wool that Avoca is known for, it has an upstairs cafe that serves delicious coffee and desserts – with an amazing view of Moll’s Gap! Yes, the prices are higher than simply buying a slice of cake downstairs, but I do think that slowing down and enjoying the view is worth it.
13.) Kenmare Bookshop (Kenmare): The tiny, picturesque Kenmare Bookshop is a great place to find Irish literature, children’s books, and local maps (if you need one!). We purchased a copy of “Where are You Puffling?”as a gift, and the shopkeeper was so excited to share her thoughts on the book. (It is a good one for kids ages 1-5!)
14.) Cleo Gallery (Kenmare): A boutique full of “good quality Irish,” Cleo Gallery stocks its shelves with local crafts, Irish wool, ceramics, blankets, shawls, candles, jewelry, and even vintage clothing!
15.) Nest (Kenmare): Another well-curated boutique, Nest carries a wide variety of homewares and even women’s clothing and rainboots. But my favorite offering of theirs was the children’s clothing and gifts! They had the most adorable children’s rain buntings and tiny toys. If you’re shopping for or with littles, this is a fun stop!
16.) Weavers of Ireland (Kenmare): This was not originally on my itinerary, but we wandered in as we walked through Kenmare. I cannot recommend it enough! Weavers of Ireland carries Irish woolen goods from the major weavers all across Ireland. If you’re looking for woolen gifts or souvenirs, this would be my stop of choice. We even purchased the most adorable flat cap for our two-year-old here!
Unique Shops in County Clare
I have to be completely honest – my three favorite small shops in all of Ireland are listed below. (And they’re some of the best to find gifts for family and friends!) Whether you’re driving to the Cliffs of Moher or exploring the rocky landscape of the Burren, here are four more unique Irish shops in Co. Clare!
17.) Clare Jam Shop (Doolin): One of my very favorite stops, the Clare Jam Shop is just outside Doolin and on the road to the Cliffs of Moher! It’s a very small shop, but inside you’ll find the shelves full of colorfully labeled jams, jellies, marmalades, chutneys, and mustards, all made by hand from Irish ingredients. I genuinely couldn’t decide which ones to bring home with us!
18.) Irish Crafts (Doolin): Another shop with a mix of Irish goods, Irish Crafts is also home to a well-reviewed coffee shop – Cupán! If you’re stopping for a shop and a coffee, just be aware that the coffee shop is only open in high season (late spring and summer).
19.) Burren Perfumery (Fahee North, Carran): After exploring the Burren, wind your way down narrow roads to the Burren Perfumery! It is a family-run business that crafts small-batch perfumes, creams, soaps, and balms using local herbs and flowers that grow in the nearby Burren landscape. Their rose-covered Tea Room offers a small but well-crafted menu of organic salads, soup with freshly baked bread, and desserts (like cake, scones, and pies!). We ordered lunch here, and sitting outdoors in the gardens was so picturesque! You can even take a short walk through their Herb Garden to see some of the flowers and herbs, while learning about their traditional uses. Truly, one of the most unique shops in Ireland!
20.) Hazel Mountain Chocolate (Oughtmama): Located along the Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll find the most whimsical chocolate shop and cafe. Ireland’s only bean to bar chocolate factory, Hazel Mountain uses sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients. We loved this stop! The coffee, hot chocolate, and seasonal desserts in the cafe are absolutely delicious and welcome after a morning hike in the Burren! Chocolate is a fabulous souvenir to bring back for family, friends, and schoolteachers (it packs flat!). Unless you’ve got children, in which case the giant chocolate sheep also might have to be shoved into your carryon.
