Best Places for Shopping

POWERSCOURT TOWNHOUSE

What? Powerscourt Townhouse, an elegant, high-end boutique shopping centre located within a magnificent Georgian (1774) townhouse | Where? 59 South William Street, Dublin 2, D02HF95 | How to get there? It's a 10 minute walk from the apartment | What's in it? A wide range of upmarket retail and design outlets - fashion, jewelry, antiques, art, gift shops, accessories, hair and beauty salons - as well as restaurants, a bar and cafes | Times? 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday; 12pm-6pm, Sundays

Much more than just a shopping centre, Powerscourt Townhouse is a really nice place to browse and hang out. The building is steeped in history, which you can read about here, but today houses some of the finest one-of-a-kind boutiques, retailers and restaurants in Dublin. Several of the retailers specialise in Irish-made products, making this a great place to pick up gifts or souvenirs. One of the cafes - the Pepper Pot - is particularly good. And the cocktail bar Farrier & Draper is well worth a visit.

ARNOTTS

What? One of the two largest department stores in Dublin City | Where? 12 Henry Street, Dublin 2, D01 C3Y9 | How to get there? It's a 11 minute walk from the apartment | What's in it? Every department you'd expect: home, furniture, electrical, beauty, toys, gifts, menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, furniture etc | Times? 10am-7pm, Monday to Wednesday; 10am-8pm on Thursdays; 10am-7pm on Fridays; 9am-7pm on Saturdays; 11am-7pm on Sundays

The oldest (dating back to 1843) and largest department store in Ireland, Arnotts is a pleasant place to shop - almost every department you can imagine, wide range of products, and generally good value too. There is also a nice cafe.

JERVIS SHOPPING CENTRE

What: One of Dublin's main pedestrian shopping streets | Where: Henry, Dublin 1 - an 11-minute walk from the apartment | Times: Individual stores vary but generally 9am to 6pm daily [late opening until 8pm on Thursdays]

The Jervis Centre isn't a huge shopping centre but here are around 40 individual outlets, including fashion, accessories, entertainment and technology, as well as cafes, fast food outlets and a large Tesco supermarket (in the basement). It also has a large, relatively inexpensive carpark.

GRAFTON STREET

What: Dublin's premier shopping street | Where: Grafton Street, Dublin 2 - a 10-minute walk from the apartment | Times: Individual stores vary but generally 9am to 6pm daily [late opening until 8pm on Thursdays]

Grafton Street is the epicenter of shopping in Dublin - the most exclusive street where almost every major retailer has a presence. Everything from high-end boutiques to standard high street fare. The street is also famous for buskers - particularly musicians (including, traditionally, Bono of U2 every Christmas Eve - so there is always a lively atmosphere. At the top of the street, you'll find the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, a bright glass-domed shopping mall with an eclectic mix of big brand chains and smaller independent retailers. Midway along the street is Bewleys Cafe, a Dublin institution that goes back to 1927.

HENRY STREET

What: One of Dublin's main pedestrian shopping streets | Where: Henry, Dublin 1 - an 11-minute walk from the apartment | Times: Individual stores vary but generally 9am to 6pm daily [late opening until 8pm on Thursdays]

Across the river, you'll find the pedestrianised shopping street Henry Street. Some of the biggest names in high street retailing are here, including Marks & Spencers, Dunnes Stores, and Primark. You'll also find Dublin's biggest department store (Arnotts) and two of the city's largest shopping centers (The Ilac Centre and the Jervis Centre).

BROWN THOMAS

What: Dublin's most exclusive, most high-end department store | Where: 88-95 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, D02 VF65 - a 12-minute walk from the apartment | Times: 10am-7pm, Monday to Wednesday; 10am-8pm, Thursdays; 10am-7pm, Fridays; 9am-7pm, Saturdays; 11am-7pm, Sundays

Dating back to 1849, Brown Thomas is now Ireland's leading luxury store, now synonymous with designer brands and high-end retailing. Especially known for its fashion, accessories and beauty departments.

DUNNES STORES

Where: 19-20 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, D02 FN76, which is a 6-minute walk from the Dame St apartment and a 7-minute walk from the Isoldes Tower apartment

What: Full-range, mainstream supermarket | Open 7am-9pm Mon-Sat & 10am-7pm on Sundays | A 7-minute walk from the apartment

TESCO

Where: Jervis Street Shopping Centre, Dublin 1, D01 TR68, which is a 9-minute walk from the Dame St apartment and an 8-minute walk from the Isoldes Tower apartment.

What: Full-range, mainstream supermarket | Open 8am-7pm Mon-Wed; 8am-9pm on Thursdays; 8am-8pm on Fridays; 8am-7pm on Saturdays; 11am-7pm on Sundays | A 9-minute walk from the apartment

SUPER VALU

Where: 14-17 Aston Quay, Dublin 2, D02 FV38, which is a 9-minute walk from the Dame St apartment and an 8-minute walk from the Isoldes Tower apartment.

What: Express Supermarket | Smaller range but later opening | Open 7am-11pm Mon-Fri; 8am-11pm on Saturdays; & 8.30am-10pm on Sundays | An 8-minute walk from the apartment

BEST GOURMET GROCER: FALLON & BYRNE | 11-17 EXCHEQUER ST, D2

WHERE: 11-17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 | 8 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Foodhall with high-end and artisan products | TIMES: 8am-8pm, Monday to Saturday; 10.30am-7pm on Sundays

Fallon & Byrne is an established Dublin institution, centering around its Foodhall (there is also a fine wine cellar and an excellent restaurant housed within the same historic building). The Foodhall is a veritable mecca for foodies, and you'll find everything from fresh produce to chocolate to cheeses - and everything in between.

BEST BAKERY: BREAD 41 | 41 PEARSE ST, D2

WHERE: 41 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02H308 | 16 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Artisan bakery | TIMES: 7am-3pm, Monday to Sunday

You'll find Bread 41 by looking for the long queue that forms outside pretty much right through the day - that's how popular it is. People from outside the city to get bread, pastries and cakes from Bread 41 - fortunately for you it's just a 16 minute walk away!

BEST CHEESEMONGER: SHERIDAN'S | 11 STH ANNE ST, D2

WHERE: 11 South Anne Street, Dublin 2 | 15 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Artisan, quality cheesemonger | TIMES: 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday; 10am-6pm, Saturdays; CLOSED on Sundays

Sheridan's is the go-to place for quality cheeses in Dublin. You'll find a great selection of Irish and European cheeses. The staff are terrific - always happy to advise, guide or offer samples to taste before buying. As well as cheeses, you'll find a good selection of wines, charcuterie, olives and other gourmet products.

BEST WINE MERCHANT: THE CORKSCREW | 4 HARRY ST, D2

WHERE: 4 Harry Street, Dublin 2 | 14 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Quality wine and spirits store | TIMES: 10.30am-7pm, Monday to Wednesday; 10.30am-8pm, Thursdays; 10.30am-7pm, Fridays & Saturdays; CLOSED on Sundays

A small, neighborhood store but with a huge selection of wines (and spirits). Especially good if you want some advice, guidance or recommendations. Regular wine and whiskey tastings too.

BEST WHISKEY SHOP: CELTIC WHISKEY | 27/28 DAWSON ST, D2

WHERE: 27-28 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 | 18 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Artisan bakery | TIMES: 10.30am-7pm, Monday to Saturday; 12.30pm-6pm on Sundays

A little like a sweet shop for adults, the Celtic Whiskey Shop in the heart of Dublin City is a mecca for lovers of whiskey - and claims to have biggest range and selection of whiskey in Ireland. As well as whiskey, you'll find craft spirits, wines and fortified wines.

BEST ICE CREAM PARLOUR: MURPHY'S | 27 WICKLOW STREET, D2

WHERE: 27 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 | a 9 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Natural ice cream served in tubs or cones | TIMES: 12pm-10.30pm, Monday to Thursday; 12pm-11pm, Fridays; 11.30am-11pm, Saturdays; 11.30am-10.30pm, Sundays

Describing itself as "Real Irish ice cream made from scratch", Murphy's is as close to guilt-free ice cream as it gets! It's made naturally and locally, without any colourings or flavourings, and using only fresh-from-the-farm milk, local cream, free range eggs, organic sugar etc. It's great ice cream and a great experience but it's not maybe as exciting - in terms of flavour or presentation - as some others so may leave younger children unimpressed (!). If that's the case, try Gino's Gelato (One Central Plaza, Dame Street, Dublin 2, which is just 7 minutes walk from the apartment).

BEST CAKESHOP: IL VALENTINO | COW'S LANE, TEMPLE BAR, D8

WHERE: Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, D08 F959 | a 2 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Bakery, cakeshop and cafe | TIMES: 8am-6pm, Monday to Sunday

Il Valentino has a few locations around the city, but the one on Cow's Lane is the closest and the best. Everything is freshly made and you'll find scones, pastries, sandwiches and a selection of cakes. Good coffee too.

BEST CHOCOLATIER: BUTLERS CHOCOLATE CAFE | 24 WICKLOW STREET, D2

WHERE: 27 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2, D02 R981 | a 9 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Chocolatier and chocolate cafe | TIMES: 7.30am-7pm, Monday to Friday; 8am-7pm, Saturdays; 11.30am-11pm, Saturdays; 9.30am-7pm, Sundays

Butler's is probably the most famous names in quality Irish chocolate, and, while you'll find their chocolates in stores throughout Ireland (and internationally), a visit to one of their own chocolate cafes is an experience in itself. The coffee is great but there is also a range of milk shakes and hot chocolate drinks. You can buy the chocolate separately but you'll get a free sample with every coffee, which makes it worth the visit!

AVOCA

WHERE: 11-13 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 | 10-minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Mini-department store | TIMES: 9am-6pm, Monday to Saturday; 10am-6pm on Sundays

A 7-level mini-department store, Avoca is like an aladdin's cave. Everything from exclusive designs to Irish crafts, it's a perfect place to pick up a gift or something uniquely Irish - throws, scarves, blankets etc. It was listed by Vogue UK as one of the Best 100 Shops Outside London. On the top floor, there is a beautiful cafe (open for breakfast and lunch), and the basement contains an artisanal food market.

KILKENNY DESIGN

WHERE: 6 Nassau Street, Dublin 2, D02 W865 | 16-minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Store specialising in Irish design | TIMES: 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday; 11am-5pm on Sundays

Kilkenny Design is an institution in Ireland and pretty much the go-to destination for Irish designed products and crafts, selling everything from fashion to art to pottery to glassware. The Nassau Street store also has a really nice cafe upstairs.

IRISH DESIGN SHOP

WHERE: 41 Drury St, Dublin 2 | a 9-minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Outlet for Irish craft and design | TIMES: 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday; 12pm-6pm on Sundays

Irish Design Shop on Drury Street is a store that sources and promotes the very best of Irish craft and design. The idea is to showcase craftsmanship and design that bring together traditional skills with a contemporary aesthetic. A great place to browse and pick up a gift or meaningful souvenir.

JAM ART FACTORY

WHERE: 14A Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 RX36 | a 6-minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Gallery and design shop | TIMES: 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday; 10am-6pm, Saturday to Wednesday; 10am-7.30pm on Thursdays; 10am-8pm on Fridays.

Temple Bar's Jam Art Factory is a gallery and design shop that specialises in local art and design from Ireland. As well as prints, it stocks ceramics, textiles, jewellery, street art and more.

DESIGN LANE

WHERE: 2 Essex St West, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 | a 2-minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Retail outlet showcasing Irish and international design | TIMES: 11am-6pm, Monday to Saturday; 12pm-6pm on Sundays

Design Lane is an artist-led cooperative that sells a wide range of Irish and international craft and design, including ceramics, clothing, homewares, jewellery, millinery and knitwear.