“A stunning shop tells a story. It’s a carefully edited emporium that reflects the shopkeeper’s unique character and vision,” says Paula Flynn of TheShopkeepers.com. In an era dominated by online shopping, nothing replaces the singular joy – the surprise and delight – of shopping in real life. Discover THE GLOSS X The Shopkeepers Best Specialist Shops 2024 …
SUSAN HUNTER, 13 Westbury Mall, Off Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Step inside Susan Moylett’s tiny store and give yourself over to the charming vendeuse within – who might indeed be Susan herself. This is the place to go when you resolve to spend more time choosing elegant, feelgood underwear (and nightwear) that fits properly and gives you confidence. Don’t wait for a special occasion – be more Frenchwoman this year! This store might actually change your life – it will certainly transform how you regard yourself. www.susanhunter.ie / www.instagram.com/susanhunterlingerie/
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.
CLOON KEEN, 21a High Street, Galway & Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin 2
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/
CUSHENDALE WOOLEN MILLS, Mill Road, Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Co Kilkenny
A woollen mill has stood at the site of the CUSHENDALE WOOLLEN MILL for over 800 years. Since 1778 six generations of the Cushens family have been crafting textiles, spinning yarn and weaving blankets that are showcased in the mill’s shop. From the shop views into the mill and storyboards give context to the brand’s unique heritage and product range of authentic Irish wool, lambswool and mohair yarns and blankets. www.cushendale.ie / www.instagram.com/cushendale/
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
HUNTER PAPER CO, 366 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/
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 that want to know the story behind what they are buying 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
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
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.thetriggerfishcookware.com / www.instagram.com/triggerfishcookshop/
THIS IS KNIT, First Floor, Powerscourt Townhouse, South William Street, Dublin 2
Mother and daughter, Lisa and Jacqui Sisk, are both avid knitters that led them to selling yarns at a market stall in 2006. Based on the success of the stall they opened THIS IS KNIT, a yarn shop in the Powerscourt Townhouse specialising in natural-fibre yarns of wool, silk, cotton, and cashmere. www.thisisknit.ie / www.instagram.com/thisisknit/ Photography by Ken Walsh