Women's Clothing

Ireland is known for its fine woolens and tweeds, and Trinity Sweaters/The Sweater Shop displays a huge collection of both for men, women and children. Classics include hand-knit sweaters and scarves and a huge selection of outerwear, including capes, jackets and shawls. The quality is high, but the prices are moderate.

A huge array of tailored and off-the-shelf shirts for businessmen and women are available at this city centre store. They also stock a good selection of ties and dicky bows.

Dublin's most famous department store offers a huge variety of clothing, electronics, accessories, jewelry and much more. The section devoted to Irish gifts is particularly extensive. The landmark store on O'Connell street first opened in 1853, but it was after being bought by Denis Guiney in 1941 that it rose in importance.

Brown Thomas is synonymous with luxury shopping in Dublin and this department store offers the Irish version of Selfridges; an upmarket mix of prêt-à-porter and haute couture clothing, accessories and cosmetics. The sister shop, BT2 is located on the opposite side of Grafton Street and caters to a younger, more mass market clientele. Celebrity chefs Domini and Peaches Kemp are at the helm of Brown Thomas' exclusive 'The Restaurant' which is the perfect pitstop after a busy day of shopping for a drink or a bite to eat.

Located in one of the most appealing shopping areas in Dublin, the Design Centre offers a wide range of ladies' designer fashions and remaims one of the most popular designer shops in the city. On the top floor of Powerscourt Centre (a refurbished mansion with an open interior and three floors of shops and restaurants), the Design Centre caters to the more mature shopper. Elegant gowns and upscale casual wear from well-known European labels are all showcased in spacious surroundings.

For the best all-around shopping experience in Dublin, visit this refurbished 1774 Georgian town house for designer fashions, dining, music, crafts, jewelry, art and specialty shops. Fashion shows, exhibitions and concerts regularly take place in the vast atrium.

If vintage clothing is your thing but you find trawling through the moth-eaten rails to be bothersome then Carousel is just the place to get your fix. Located right in the middle of Dublin's main shopping district, Carousel is on the corner of Drury Street and Exchequer Street and fits in nicely with some of the other independent retailers in the area. Run by husband and wife team Tom and Louise, Carousel seeks to offer a range of gorgeous dresses, skirts, knitwear and accessories from the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's that are fabulous year round and suit a strong personal style.

Designer knitwear for the upscale woman. Ready-to-wear styles are hand-knitted throughout Ireland, including Donegal, Kerry and the Aran Islands. DART: Pearse Station

Om Diva began as a small shop in the George's Street Arcade which has now graduated to a 3-floor designer haven on Drury Street. Created by Ruth Ní Loinsigh as an 'homage to her childhood bedroom' Om Diva now includes Atelier 27 - an upstairs space when talented young Irish designers can develop showcase their brand. The interior is colourful and mismatched with some fantastic and unique designs and vintage clothing covering the walls and rails like an exploded dress up box. You will find yourself getting lost in the glitz and style - but the pieces are remarkably affordable to get a piece of original Irish fashion.

Fun, Irish-designed crafts are a highlight at this Nassau Street shopping stop. The selection of women's clothing is extensive and includes thick handmade sweaters in classic cables, woolly shawls and hats, and jackets and skirts in rich tweeds. The store also has an excellent selection of pottery, glass, candles, books and prints.