Dublin’s take on a creative quarter
A block west of Dublin’s Gra on Street lies a mix of independent boutiques, cafes and galleries in what is known as the creative quarter:
Grafton Street, one of Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfares, is a bustling pedestrian-only attraction, but most of its occupants – other than the homegrown luxury department store Brown Thomas – tend toward international brands like American Apparel, Disney and Ted Baker.
One block west of it lies a mix of independent boutiques, cafes and galleries in what is known as the Creative Quarter. Many shops on three parallel streets – Clarendon, William and Drury – feature local designers and artisans. While the district has been a retail area since the 19th century, when the George’s Street Arcade, Ireland’s first (and still functioning) shopping centre, opened, new developments have helped create a concentrated destination for contemporary Irish design.
[Made] Store & Gallery:
Made carries fashion-forward women’s clothes from Irish lines, such as cartoon-illustrated knit dresses by Electronic Sheep and Victorian ruffle collars by Natalie B. Coleman. One corner is devoted to the nature-inspired jewellery company Chupi. The store is in Powerscourt Centre, a former Georgian mansion hollowed out to hold more than 40 shops.
Irish design shop:
Both jewelleers, Clare Grennan and Laura Caffrey, run a shop that trades in artisan-made Irish goods. In addition to the jewellery line, Names Dublin, and their housewares line, Aras, featuring linen tea cloths and felt place mats, expect hot water bottles covered in Irish cable-stitch knits by Ekotree, Donegal tweed bow ties from Hata and flower-patterned ceramic brooches from Andrew Ludick.
Wilde:
Take a shopping break at this restaurant in the Westbury Hotel, which backs up to the Creative Quarter. The Irish-ingredient-focused brasserie menu features local oysters, Dublin Bay prawns and grass-fed beef, served in a plant-filled room where the windows are often thrown open. Irish wool blankets and gin and tonics provide warmth on chilly days.
Carousel:
This boutique offers vintage-inspired fashion at affordable prices, including its own women’s brand, Circus, characterized by A-line skirts, waist-nipped dresses and flowing blouses in floral, polka dot and geometric fabrics. In the basement, you’ll find the real thing: racks of pretty patterned 1950s housedresses.
Momuse:
This inviting shop in Powerscourt Centre features jewellery by its owner, the designer Margaret O’Rourke, including delicate pendant necklaces with 9-carat-gold discs and gold chain drop earrings. Also look for alpaca and silk scarves from Mucros Weavers.