If whiskey is your poison, get ready to indulge to your heart's content. After the educational tour of the distillery, and your careful attention to the historical overview, retire to the in-house pub and make a little whiskey history of your own. There's also a restaurant with fixed-price menus for lunch and dinner. Whether you want to learn more about the whiskey-making process, indulge in hearty food, or taste new spirits, a visit to Old Jameson Distillery won't let you down.
Temple Bar is often used to symbolize the extraordinary changes which Dublin has undergone in recent years. In the 1980s, this district of the city was earmarked as the site for a vast bus station. Galleries and small shops colonized the cheap properties, however, the bus-depot plans were abandoned, and the area now boasts of a warren of bustling shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Some of the country's best cultural institutions have found a home in Temple Bar, including the Irish Film Centre and the Gallery of Photography. Two new civic spaces, Temple Bar Square and the striking Meeting House Square have been created and utilized by artist and traders. In short, this district is one of the city's most colorful and vibrant; make a point of seeing it for yourself.
Grafton Street and the surrounding area is the most upmarket shopping district in Dublin. Grafton Street itself is pedestrianized and runs from Trinity College up to St Stephen's Green. It is home to some of Dublin's signature businesses, including the city's most elegant department store Brown Thomas. Grafton Street is also home to many familiar high-street names, and the upper end of the street is anchored by the sunny, glass-roofed St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. In the surrounding area, Dawson Street features Waterstone's, the city's best book store. Wicklow Street boasts some funky shoe shops and Clarendon Street is home to the upmarket Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. In all, this district should supply most, if not all, of your shopping needs.
Located at the top of Grafton Street, Stephen Green's Shopping Center is probably the best shopping center in Dublin. It has managed to combine upmarket stores with more practical outlets, all under a great vaulted glass roof. There are a lot of well-known names here like Boots and Tk Maxx, as well as a variety of independently run fashion outlets and shops selling novelty items. A car park is located in the basement. Other amenities like baby feeding facilities and internet access are also available.
Established in 1982, Carrolls Irish Gifts is a Dublin-based retail company, which has attained the status of 'Market Leader' in its market segment of high-end clothing and gifts. Carrolls currently features more than 10,000 traditional Irish products comprising of Guinness Official licensed clothing, gifts, and merchandise, jewelry, casual clothing, fashion accessories, music, toys, confectionery, glassware, and kitchenware.
For those who love everything French, a visit to The French Paradox will be delightful. This wine bar and shop has a chic setting and features superb wines from France's top vineyards. Settle in their bar and take a sip of vino. Ask for their staff for suggestions and they will guide you to the right one. Nibble on tapas inspired French bites that are a perfect accompaniment to your wine. The shop besides exquisite wines also stocks cheese, Havana Cigars, French preserves, charcuterie, and gift vouchers.
Temple Bar is often used to symbolize the extraordinary changes which Dublin has undergone in recent years. In the 1980s, this district of the city was earmarked as the site for a vast bus station. Galleries and small shops colonized the cheap properties, however, the bus-depot plans were abandoned, and the area now boasts of a warren of bustling shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Some of the country's best cultural institutions have found a home in Temple Bar, including the Irish Film Centre and the Gallery of Photography. Two new civic spaces, Temple Bar Square and the striking Meeting House Square have been created and utilized by artist and traders. In short, this district is one of the city's most colorful and vibrant; make a point of seeing it for yourself.
This is just about the only place you will find authentic Patagonia gear in the country. Patagonia is a California label, now synonymous with the fleece invasion of fashion and sportswear. It's the perfect shop in which to find gear for hiking, riding, climbing, fishing, and sailing, as well as for those fleece items you can't resist wearing around the house.
Blink and you might miss this market. The entrance looks a bit like the downstairs of a car park—brightly lit with one or two old shopping carts and no sign of anything else. If you persevere, however, you'll discover an amazing treasure trove of Asian culinary delights. If you are trying any Eastern cooking, this is the place to find that elusive ingredient. With its interesting assortment of Asian artifacts and wall hangings, it's a great place to hang out.
If you feel the need to worship at the great temple of the Gods of Chocolate, forsake all diets and come to Butler's. On entering, be prepared to kneel at the divinities that are Bewley's chocolates, Alannah chocolates, Katie Mac's chocolates, and, of course, Butler's own range. Also resident within the shop are lesser divinities such as the danish pastry and muffin, as well as the nectar of the chocolate gods, coffee.
The Jervis Center is the hottest and largest shopping complex in central Dublin. The main backbone of this center is the flagship stores, such as Debenham's, Boots, Marks and Spencer and Argos, but it also contains all the other main high street stores and a branch of Tescos supermarket in its basement. There is a good layout to the center that makes things easy to find, despite the fact it is sprawled over several floors. As most of the shops are British chain stores however, it's not really the place to go seeking unique Irish gifts. Waterstone's bookshop offers free coffee and newspapers on a Sunday afternoon.
Only open on Saturdays, this great shop is as close as Dublin comes to an antique clothes market. It is run by a woman who spends the rest of her week working in Portobello Market in London, so she really knows what to buy and where to find it. The antique evening wear is divine, and if you need a fringed shawl or silk scarf to finish off an outfit, this is the place to go. It's reported that Robbie Williams likes to shop here if that gives you anything to go by.