In an era dominated by online shopping, nothing replaces the joy of shopping in real life. Discover THE GLOSS X The Shopkeepers Best Specialist Shops 2025 …
CLOTH DUBLIN, 15 Westbury Mall, Balfe Street, Dublin 2
A fabric and haberdashery destination founded by mother and daughter, Deirdre Noonan and Sinead Martin in 2010. The first shop was in Limerick, relocating to Dublin in 2012. CLOTH Dublin offers a wide range of fabrics, both for clothing and home interior projects. Between the two women they have a vast wealth of knowledge on sewing projects and are happy to share all their tips from sewing classes to made-to-measure services either in person or online. www.cloth.ie / www.instagram.com/clothdublin/ Photography by Deirdre Noonan.
OPTICA DUBLIN, 6 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Deirdre de Síun lovingly oversaw the renovation of the ground floor of a Georgian building to house her luxury eyewear shop. Local artisans were employed to restore and fit the shop with vintage fittings to best display stylish designer frames from around the world as well as OPTICA’s own Wolfhound collection of Irish linen scarves and eyewear. www.opticadublin.com / www.instagram.com/optica_dublin/ Photography by Deirdre Young
PARFUMARIJA, 25 Westbury Mall, Dublin 2
Classically trained perfumer, Marija Aslimoska, learnt her craft in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world in the South of France. After working with perfume houses in Grasse she returned to Dublin to open her own Perfume boutique. PARFUMARIJA offers a selection of rare and niche perfumes. www.parfumarija.com / www.instagram.com/parfumarija/ Photography by Edgar Allan @mredgarallan
BROOKWOOD POTTERY, 3 Marino Mart, Marino, Dublin 3
Established in a former post office by potter Elaine Fallon, BROOKWOOD POTTERY is a shop and pottery studio featuring Elaine’s pottery and the textiles, print, homeware and jewellery of over 40 craftspeople that Elaine admires. The studio offers one-day adult pottery classes for small groups of four every Saturday. www.brookwoodpottery.com / www.instagram.com/brookwood_pottery/ Photography by Donal Murphy
PAULA ROWAN, Westbury Mall, Dublin 2
The last three years have seen Dublin glove designer PAULA ROWAN go from local legend to global name. From Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour 2024, to the Met Ball and the Vanity Fair Oscars party, the Gucci movie and Lady Gaga’s world tour, appearances in W magazine, British Vogue (styled by Edward Enninful) and UK Tatler, her Italian leather gloves in styles like Aida, Monserrat and Caroline, have popped up in the smartest of places. Visit the Westbury Mall store to see the wide range of designs. www.paularowan.com / www.instagram.com/paularowangloves/
THE TRIGGERFISH COOKSHOP, 2b Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin
A passionate home cook, Bob Toal, has taken his years of travels around the world visiting culinary destinations and shares his wealth of knowledge and experience in his shop, THE TRIGGERFISH COOKSHOP. An emporium that is dedicated to tools and wares for cooking and eating. The shop is stocked with an impressive range of goods he has discovered on his travels, including knives, hard-to-find gadgets, and specialised cookware. www.triggerfishcookware.ie / www.instagram.com/triggerfishcookshop/
FLOCK, 72 Benburb St, Smithfield, Dublin 7
A former grocer’s shop is home to FLOCK, a wool-felted animal shop and studio in Smithfield, Dublin 7. As all the animals are handcrafted in the studio by founder and artisan, Jamie Lewis, customers are afforded a unique view into the process behind his craft; the blending of wool, water, and olive oil soap to form his adorable pets. www.flockstudio.ie / www.instagram.com/flockstudiodublin/ Photography by Jamie Lewis
CLOON KEEN, 21a High Street, Galway & Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin
The founders of CLOON KEEN, Margaret Mangan and Julian Checkley, met whilst working on a film production. For them creating scents is akin to weaving a story, with scents informed by the history, nature, and myths of Ireland. All Cloon Keen’s perfumes and candles are composed and hand poured in Galway, and stocked in their exquisitely designed Galway and Dublin stores. www.cloonkeen.com / www.instagram.com/cloonkeen/
REPUBLIC OF OUD, Winthrop Arcade, Winthrop Street, Co Cork
Cork’s newest perfume boutique specialises in rare and precious oud, also known as agar wood, a natural oil derived from tree resin. Oud authority Alan Coakley, who worked in the Middle East for over 20 years, has brought together the finest oud-focused brands (all exclusive to Ireland) at his new Winthrop Arcade store. www.republicofoud.com / www.instagram.com/republicofoud/
KINSALE LEATHER, 46 Main Street, Kinsale, Co Cork
For Dee Mangan the importance of creating a beautiful environment to showcase her handmade leather bags and accessories was instrumental in her opening her shop. The previous Irish Accessory Designer of the Year appreciates people who want to know the story behind their buys and being in the shop allows Dee to share her process with her customers. www.kinsaleleather.com / www.instagram.com/kinsaleleather/ Photography by Kate Bean
HUNTER PAPER CO, 255 Upper Newtownards Road, Ballyhackamore, Belfast, Northern Ireland
After establishing her wholesale card and print business in 2016, illustrator Emma Johnston opened Hunter Paper Co in 2020 with her husband Ross. The shop has a printing press that Emma uses to produce her own greeting cards and stocks beautiful stationery from all over the world. www.hunterpaperco.com / www.instagram.com/hunterpaperco/
ARDMORE POTTERY, Cliff Road, Ardmore, Co Waterford
ARDMORE POTTERY & GALLERY overlooks Ardmore Bay in the heart of the Co Waterford village and is co-owned by potters Mary Lincoln and her daughter, Katie. The store stocks a collection of Irish design, craft and art including their own Ardmore Pottery line which has been produced in the pottery for over 40 years. “The colours of the sea are reflected in every piece made in-house,” they say. www.ardmorepottery.com / www.instagram.com/ardmorepotteryandgallery/