market

Dublin Flea Market

On Sunday there's a chance to spend your afternoon leafing through other people’s once-prized possessions whilst eating deliciously fresh falafel and meeting some interesting people. The Dublin Flea market is back again; where genuinely motivated sellers have carted in their clothes, furniture, bikes and miscellanea for you to sort through and all it's available for prices that you won't believe.  You can be lucky with great vintage finds, unusual art or interesting books, but even if you just soak up the atmosphere it’s a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon. The international flea market language of haggling is only recommended if you can deal with the guilt that comes with paying even less for great stuff at already cheap prices. / Jessica Hayden

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Designist

Jennie Flynn and Barbara Nolan are on a mission to bring beautiful, practical, Irish design to the masses through Designist. Part art gallery, part glorious toy box. Their online shop launched last week and stocks range from quirky and innovative gifts to homeware (10% discount for le cool readers). Working directly with designers, Designist stock is designed or made in Ireland and in some cases both. In keeping with the economic zeitgeist, almost everything in the shop is priced under €100. Look out for the laser cut map of Dublin (Alljoy Design, €45). Or go all ‘Blue Peter’ and colour in your very own Paper Watch (Suck UK, €10). Designist also hosts product launches, design fora and exhibitions, with the aim of engaging their customers in the design process. / Mary Nolan
 

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Tres Fab

Nutgrove Shopping Centre may seem an unlikely destination for vintage wear, but this recent addition is fast becoming one of its hidden gems. With an expertly chosen range of affordable once-off original and vintage-inspired pieces sourced from across Europe and beyond, you could easily lose an hour eagerly rifling through their well-stocked rails. Favourite finds so far: a multi-coloured 80’s playsuit (whoever said it’s the decade fashion forgot?) and a soft purple and green swirly 70’s style scarf, all lovingly wrapped up in fluorescent pink crepe paper. Choose (if you can) between a gorgeous peace symbol or hummingbird patterned Ruby Rocks reusable bag to pop your purchase in - it’s worth the pilgrimage to the suburbs for these alone. Tres Fab indeed. / Aoife O'Regan

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Cigar Emporium

To find the Decent Cigar Emporium, walk down Diagon Alley and when you reach the wooden Indian tap his headpiece lightly with your wand. A door will appear in front of you. Walk all the way up the stairs and greet Guy Hanock, the owner. He is often away travelling in search of rare cigars, but as all the staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly you will always be treated fabulously. I, a mere witch of no exceptional magical skills apart from a flair for conjuring up glitter, have received unrivaled attention and often even been offered delicious cuban coffee. Mad Eye Moody is a regular as was Serious Black, who enjoyed a Maduro 5 Secretos. Their highly specific stock does attract those seeking status and Horace Slughorn is known to always stock his humidor with large H. Upmann's before his annual Slug Club party. / Georgia

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Christchurch Food Market

Food - sure where would you be without it? Dead. Fact. Food Markets - wholesome good or an evil jostle of stalls and cuisines? This 'summer' has seen a raft of food markets spring up and bed down around the city. There's the one on the canal over near Mespil Road, there's one at FitzWilliam Square, I spotted former Green TD Trevor Sargent's mug in a paper recently flogging onions at one in the suburban sticks and now Christchurch is the latest addition. Midst the shadows of this Gothic landmark in medieval Dublin is Dave's Wood-Fired Pizza. And Doghouse cafe, Tikkahut, Dux & Co., Kanum, Noshington and a mediterranean grill, Thai place, cornish pasties, falafels, buns and bread. Was it for this the Vikings raped and pillaged way back then? Probably not. But it sure beats the notion of a Spar roll. / Zach Joyce

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Mark's Model Shop

On the outside it looks like any kid's toy shop in Dublin. On the inside, it is a niche kingdom of big boys who buy special toys and call themselves ‘collectors’. Since 1987, when the shop opened, they flock to this place from all over Ireland looking for a new railway, a die-cast car, an aircraft or a whole army – all in miniature. The shop assistant confides that they get “all sorts of customers” and the strangest request he’s ever had was for “a model of Hitler”. As I walk through the silent labyrinths of shelves, where rarely a woman has tread before, I begin to understand what grown men might find in this hobby and why they convert whole rooms into big playgrounds. Just imagine – not only can you have a dream classic car or an antique train, you can build your own world and fill it with people. Fancy being a king of a world? / Nadia Gativa

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Flourescent Elephant

Something has been troubling me greatly over this vintage revival. Mainly the definition. What exactly is vintage? Who decides? The giant bloomers you found in your Granny’s attic - are they vintage? The grotty polka dot work-shirt your mother bought from Switzers? Because it’s old and loud and garish - it’s vintage? Some of the absolute tat that passes off as vintage is only shocking. Which is why Fluorescent Elephant is such a breath of fresh air. Owner Sinead Kelly does not do vintage for vintage sake.  Launching online originally, Fluorescent Elephant offers a vintage edit that is relevant, trend-driven and modern. The online space has recently converted to a bricks and mortar space on Crow Street and the shop itself is calm and organised - a nice reprieve from the sometimes chaotic vintage experience. A truly forward-thinking vintage shop. / Jennie McGinn

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Monte Cristo Antiques

Presided over by a charming Frenchman (though he’s possibly Belgian), and filled with a range of antiques from trinkets to treasures, Monte Cristo antiques in the Powerscourt Townhouse is an indispensable place for finding presents for those people who seem to have everything. Minute silver spoons, vintage coats and bowler hats, unusual jewellery and 300 year old pistols all jostle for attention among the many lovely things to be found in here. The best bit is that you can be surprised at how reasonable things are; if you’re on a budget but want to buy something unique this is the place to go. Someone working there once said to me “because you’re young, I will tell you this: in an antique shop always ask for the best price, you can always get ten per cent.” Sound advice. / Alex Calder

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Hairy Baby

A Google search for 'Hairy Baby' throws up a disturbing Yahoo Answers question in the shape of "Do anyone of you have Hairy Baby?" (sic), a phrase which might just become a new slogan for the T-shirts company created by Daragh Murphy. Featuring highly amusing inside jokes of well-known Dublin phrases, many sales have taken place online over the past six years and the merchandise is now available to be seen at their temporary Pop Up gallery on Castle Street before purchase on their brand new website. Personal favourites adorning the now expanded range of mugs, hoodies and paintings include 'A1 Sharon' and 'Did you turn off the immersion?' Along with 'Vincent says Don't Harangue Joan' and the new Bosco stock. Kids sizes are available and right now I can't think of a better idea for a Christmas present (for me).  / Emily O'Callaghan

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Cow's Lane

If the prospect of battling the dead-eyed hordes of consumer zombies fills you with dread, and the horror of Henry St gives you the festive fear, then may we suggest that you get off the beaten track for your Christmas shopping. Why not get yourself down to the relative calm of Cow's Lane in Temple Bar's Old City to fill those stockings? You'll find a great selection of independent, Irish-owned stores and cafés in this elegant enclave and best of all, you won't feel like you are shopping in Hull. The possibilities are endless - you could enjoy a glass of wine at La Dolce Vita while the missus gets herself a tasteful tat at Dublin Ink, or browse the shelves in the charming Gutter Bookshop while she trawls for reclaimed delights at Find. All traders will stay open until 8pm every Thursday between now and the big day. / Mr & Mrs Stevens

market

Dublin Art Book Fair & Magazine Archive

Temple Bar is fast gaining a reputation as the market capital of Dublin with food, clothing and designer markets a regular occurrence in the popular cultural quarter. This latest addition sees over twenty publishers of art books distributing and selling their wares – some of which may have difficulty getting into the public domain otherwise. Organisers have also invited artists who make books to get involved and use this as a medium to get their work out there. Alongside the vendors beautiful and fascinating offerings the gallery curator has compiled a large archive of art magazines for visitors to peruse in their reading area. With live talks on topics such as self publishing and book design and readings from some of the authors this promises to provide a fascinating insight into the world of art and artists. / Frances Winston

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Temple Bar Food Market

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Industry

Tis the season to go shopping, fa la la la la, la la la la. If you'd rather avoid going la-la by the head-wreck that Christmas gift shopping can turn into then adding the furniture and home accessories shop Industry to your list could be a smart idea. It's owned by interior designer Vanessa Mac Innes and she carefully selects all the stock which includes vintage and upcycled as well as new items for helping make homes and presumably their occupants hipper and even possibly happier. Her style favours an industrial aesthetic and many items look like they were salvaged from an old German or French factory. Scrabble mugs, retro telephones and vases as well as classic anglepoise desk lamps and framed prints and maps are among the new items on sale. Particularly good for finding gifts for guys. / Maisie

food

Oriental Emporium

Go rogue when grocery shopping in our new era of VAT increases and fiscal austerity. Go beyond those blue-yellow Aldi/Lidl juggernauts and follow an Asian shopper some weekend, you will soon discover the Oriental Emporium. It's an open secret: Asian supermarkets deliver just as good produce, more exotic varieties of spices, AND at lower prices (without the wasteful packaging) till 7pm most days. Marvel at the freshness of their live shellfish at the in-store fishmongers. Pick out a full meal for €5 at the hot Schezhuan deli. Salivate at the display of crispy roast duck and belly pork hanging on meathooks. Replicate a Dim Sum blowout from their frozen food section. My favourtie bit, watching Mr Siew the owner explaining the plethora of soya sauce brands in the condiments section to confused locals. / Elish Bul-Godley

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Monto

"Do you think my paisley shellsuit goes with my new ushanka?" People, the answer is yes. Follow the advice of the old Dublin tune and "Take her up to Monto, Monto, Monto".  And no I don't mean up to get your jollies - you'll get a different kind of those in this establishment. The joys of vintage. From the outside you'll be forgiven for thinking it's a costume shop, and it is of sorts, brilliant for finding items for themed outfits, better for stumbling across something you're not likely to find in Penneys. The place is heaving with leather jackets, fedoras and sequin bags, so get your riffling mitts on and your eagle eye out to unearth that to die for item. Those of a distractable nature beware and perhaps prepare for a bit of a fit as it is that crammed. Also must give a tip of the old ushanka to the brilliant proprieter, Marion. / Sarah Maguire

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Mighty Bikes

Are Kev and Tom like they are portrayed on the poster? Two moustachioed biking buddies? Just a couple of guys who like to do it in tandem? A pair of rides? It's not really that important because the service they provide outweighs their poster portraits. The idea is simple: people can bring their bikes to the Dublin Flea Market this weekend and get them repaired while they shop. They'll also have vintage parts for sale so it's almost like the ultimate hipster valet service. There's no more need to use the sole of your Blackspot as a brake or put up with the heavy clunk of your gear change. Maybe you just want to replace that plastic saddle with some fine leather for your tush or invest in a bell. Ding-a-ling. Eitherway, your chance is here at this bike repair stall. Look out for the Mighty Bikes sign. / Anna Logg

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The 3rd Policeman

I'm torn between telling everyone to go to this brand new curiosity shop, or to keep the secret close and jealously guarded. But I suspect it's not going to stay secret for long. It's a shop without parallel in Dublin. It unfolds like an old traveling case: filled with beautiful handbags, luxurious furs, old hat boxes brimming with silk scarves, binoculars in battered cases, delicately patterned teacups, old tweeds and shooting sticks. The lovely lady who owns it lives in Paris and has been buying and storing treasures from around Europe with the idea of one day opening a Dublin shop. It's the perfect mix of good quality vintage clothes and unusual and beautiful curios. Make a pilgrimage, you won't regret it. (For anyone out there with a size 6 foot there's a pair of perfect Escada mint green pumps.) / Alex Calder

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Herman Wilkinson

Euphemistically titled 'house clearances', sometimes Herman Wilkinson feels more like a time machine than auction house. It’s sort of a tardis effect; a really small shed filled with 58 living rooms dating from 1950 - 1980. Everything including the kitchen sink. So more Jeffrey Archers, Jane Fonda work out videos and trouser presses than you could ever believe existed. Resellers from all over come for these weekly auctions and the discerning eye will find all sorts of entertainment, from taxidermy to tailor's dummies, flower pots to film projectors. We've bid on everything from mahogany display cases to lady's five-speed racers at the Thursday morning auctions. It can be a great place to find a 'project', though our Victorian spoon-back bought for a €1  unfortunately still requires repair! / andróid

fashion

The Loft Market (re-opens)

Up and running five years, The Loft Market has established itself as one of the top go-to places in Dublin to find independent art, fashion and design. Whether it's an original handmade piece, a unique gift, or some re-vamped vintage, this place always seems to throw up some new treasures. They also put an emphasis on locally and ethically made products - which you can tell yourself if you feel you're about to get a case of post-shopmatic-stress syndrome. The good news is that, after a few minor bumps and delays, they are re-opening today in a new space at the top floor of Powerscourt, and from this week on, you'll be able to pop in any day except Monday. Hopefully this will make the place more accessible to everyone and give the designers a bigger push. If you're a designer yourself, you can apply HERE. / Rachel Ray

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Sweeney O'Rourke

If you're a certain type of gastro-geek (and we certainly are), you'll get wood when you walk through the door of Sweeney O'Rourke. Good wood. Situated on Pearse St, that boulevard of methodone mummers, this cathedral of the culinary is stacked floor to ceiling with all that your chef's heart desires. But not in a Habitat sort of way. We're talking cooking equipment, not tea-table decoration. This is the place where the pro's buy their checkered trousers and other essential kit. Despite the reasonable prices, we find it difficult to leave without purchasing, so at least everything they stock is actually useful - no gimmicky gadgetry, no Ideal Homes must-have inventions. Now, Santoku knife, check, stainless steel sauteuse, check, rotary probe thermometer, check, checkered trousers... / Mr and Mrs Stevens

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Kwality Foods

When I see a new ethnic food store open up in Dublin it excites me more than is probably normal. Kwality Foods in Rathmines has something different about it; being new, everything is clean and shiny, everything is labelled beautifully, and the selection on offer is second to none.  The major selling point, however, is the staff. So often I have let my ignorance get the better of me and left an ethnic food store without asking the necessary questions about how an ingredient new to me should be prepared. Instead of having to ask in Kwality Foods I was very politely offered advice at the till and then given several pre-printed delicious recipes to try out at home. I left there feeling elated, more informed and (most importantly) was the boss of my split lentil dahl when I got home. This place will give you confidence. / Jessica Hayden