As delightful as the natural scenery is, as intellectually stimulating as the museums might be and as thrilling as racing, boating, biking and seeing as much of Ireland as you can with your car rental, and all other such activities can be, there comes a time in every tourist’s vacation that it’s time to start thinking of the people back home. Souvenirs are simply a necessity of tourist life, and indulging yourself when you’re shopping for your friends– well, that’s just a bonus! Fortunately Ireland offers a wide variety of shops, and there is bound to be something for every tourist and every friend you have left back home.
If it’s something reminiscent of Ireland in days of old you wish to purchase, there are numerous antiquities shops available for browsing. You may also want to buy something that pays tribute to the artisans and cottage industry of Ireland; items such as Irish linen, china and even Irish whiskey are all excellent choice if you want to purchase something to take home to remind you of Ireland, and all of these are available in shops in Dublin City and all major urban centres.
You may also want to couple your shopping trip with a bit of sightseeing; many museums and exhibitions –for example, distillery tours– couple education with the opportunity to purchase the product itself.
If you want a more modern shopping experience, Ireland has plenty to offer as well. All the major cities are thoroughly modern and up to date, and many are home to numerous boutiques carrying top designers. If you are an even halfway dedicated shopper, it may well be wise to set aside at least one full day to dedicate to your shopping. Everything from sumptuous antiquities to the most cutting-edge fashions are available in Ireland’s shops, and depending on how varied your tastes, you may even want to map out a plan of attack in order to accomplish the most possible in one day! Also be sure to remember to keep track of all your purchases for purposes of customs declaration on your return home.
For some of the shopping centers in Dublin on the outskirts of a city, Thrifty Car Hire can supply you with a rental car with enough boot room to carry all your shopping.