Hi fellow travelers! I thought that I would post a few places to visit if you need some last-minute items for our trip. There are two places that are really great for shopping, one is Marks & Spencer‘s which offers a comprehensive food, and shopping experience for nice clothing if you need extra items like sweaters, scarves, gloves, umbrellas, etc. They are located very centrally on 15-20 Grafton Street, central Dublin. They have loads of prepared foods like sandwiches, and travel size packets of nuts and potato chips. The other is Boots, a health and beauty store located at 12 Grafton Street. They carry travel size items of shampoo, soap etc, also has a pharmacy. One thing to remember, if you prefer a certain brand, like Tylenol, they don’t carry that in the UK. Be sure to bring your own with you. Of course they have aspirin, and acetaminophen. They also carry lots of beauty items, hair brushes, combs, toothpaste etc. I hope that this is helpful.
This is actually so helpful, thank you for sharing!!
I’ve never been to Ireland before, but I’ve been wanting to plan a trip since I have a friend studying in Cork. I feel like that’s the perfect excuse to visit him and then extend it into a proper Ireland trip, so I’m DEF saving these!
I’m also curious about souvenir shopping while we’re on the topic. Do you know of any good underrated shops in Dublin and/or Galway that aren’t super touristy or marked up just because they’re in a tourist area? too! I’d love to find somewhere with more locally made Irish gifts rather than the typical souvenir-shop stuff, especially things that aren’t ridiculously priced.
Hi WanderFuel, So glad you liked the suggestions. Dublin is a very sophisticated town, in that it is lived in by local people, so not as touristy as Rome for example, however, there are shops for tourists of course. What I look for when I go to Ireland are small, locally owned shops like jewelry and handmade items shops. The Celtic cross is often used on silver jewelry, and there are many stores that offer these items, also the woven wool throws made from Irish wool, and also the cabled sweaters. Be sure to ask if they are made in Ireland, not China. Most small local shops will offer locally made items. You will love the beautiful woolen scarves, throws and sweaters that you bring back home. Many are made in heathered colors, or the off white traditional Aran yarns. The Aran Sweater Market, Aran Islands, Ireland, has a shop on Grafton Street in Dublin. They have a comprehensive website. Take a look to see what you’d like to bring back. In Jewelry the traditional Irish Claddagh is used on rings, necklaces and pendants. A lovely item to bring back too. You don’t have to be Irish to wear the Claddagh. It represents love, loyalty and friendship, but of course if you give it to someone special…
You will also find many lovely examples of the Irish Celtic Cross in silver, one of my favorites. I gave mine away to someone who needed it, so I’m going to find another one for myself. It’s found on many grave sites as well as stone work. I hope that this was helpful!
