The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on, and with the world’s most popular holiday just days away, Ireland’s shoppers are out in their thousands up and down streets across the country.
Ireland’s shopping culture has grown exponentially in recent years, with the development and modernisation of well-known high streets as well as the introduction of countless new shopping centres and malls in just about every major Irish city.
In this article we are going to explore some of Ireland’s most iconic shopping streets and what makes them so attractive particularly during the festive season.
Grafton Street, County Dublin
When talking about Ireland’s most popular and renowned shopping locations, there really is only one place to start and that’s Grafton Street located in the heart of the Irish capital. Grafton street is just one of several staples in terms of Dublin’s high streets and contains everything from upmarket boutique stores to more the more youthful presence of the Disney store and the newly added Lego shop.
Grafton Street is highly pedestrianised and is lined with cafes, pubs, and restaurants as well as shops. So, walking up and down this iconic street can be made all the more enjoyable by stopping for a nice cup of coffee or a quiet pint. People often enjoy people watching or reading a good book as droves of shoppers pass by their window.
This famous stretch of Dublin never lacks for entertainment either, with buskers or performers never too far away on any given day. U2’s Bono, Glen Hansard, Dermot Kennedy, and Declan Rice are just some of the world-famous musicians who have graced Grafton Street with an acoustic guitar over the years.
Shop Street, County Galway
Next up we’re heading way out west to Shop Street nestled in the heart of the beautiful County Galway. Galway City is one of the most charming and authentically Irish cities you’ll find here, and so if you’ve chosen to spend a few days there and want to get some shopping done, there are certainly worse places you could have picked!
Shop Street is unique in that it is lined with colourful storefronts, old brick buildings, and more traditional Irish pubs than you can swing a cat at! In a similar fashion to Grafton Street, shoppers frequently enjoy live music and street performers which line Shop Street on the daily.
Contrary to its name, there are many things to do on Shop Street other than shopping. For example, visitors like to visit Lynch’s Castle, one of Galway’s most iconic preserved ancient buildings. You can also learn more about the legend of the Claddagh Ring at the Claddagh Museum.
Wexford Town, County Wexford
Finally, we have what many would consider to be a hidden gem in the world of Ireland’s shopping streets, Wexford Town. Wexford is a vibrant and lively town in the Southeast of Ireland known for its beaches and love of Irish culture. However, you’ll also find plenty of stunning vintage shops and unique boutiques dotted across the town centre. Wexford Town is the perfect blend of hipster and high street without the hustle and bustle of travelling into Dublin City Centre.
So, if you’re looking for a mix of vintage and Irish-made products from independent businesses or want to explore the old shopping staples without rubbing shoulders with hundreds of other manic shoppers, Wexford Town might be the solution for you!
It also helps that it is lined with dozens of cosy delis, bakeries, and artisan coffee shops for those planning to shop till they drop!
