The best shops in Ireland: the search continues

THE HUNT GOES ON for the best shops in Ireland. Many of you have emailed in praise of Soundz of Muzic, a traditional music shop in Kenmare, Co Kerry with Daire Shaw describing its music collection as nothing short of “superb”.

Meanwhile in Bray, Co Wicklow, BDI Beads is praised by reader Gillian McConnell, who loves the “impromptu lessons on how to create something new” that owners John Conalty, his wife Velda and son Shane provide. Also in Bray, The Amphibian King, a running store in Bray as been receiving a lot of nominations too. Andrew Cromien commends the staff for being “extremely welcoming, open and helpful”, while Aislinn Bobbett praises the shop owner Damien McKeever, who, she says “even tied the shoelaces; talked about places to walk and how to train”.

Lilliput Stores in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 is “tiny as its name suggests” says Sarah Murphy but it stocks “a brilliant range of produce from around Ireland” and serves the best coffee in Dublin.

A post office on Clontarf Road, Dublin is flourishing in the good hands of John Fitzpatrick – Zandra Ball saying John always “takes the time for a quiet word” with customers. “He is always patient ‘with a newcomer who doesn’t know the ropes,’” she says.

In Clonakilty, west Cork, Etain Hickey Collections, a gift and pottery shop, has been getting sterling reviews. Anna Brindley, loves that you can get anything in the store, including, she says, “a stylish black bag made from recycled bicycle tyres that bounces gently as you walk if you have something heavy-ish in it.”

The Bake House in New Ross, Co Wexford has its fair share of supporters too, with Ruth Walsh claiming she could never forget to pop by when the family is at home for the weekend. “They are like homing missiles,” she says, “the walnut-brown bread is zoned-in on.”

Support for Burkes, a general store in Gort, Co Galway is popular too with Christine Brennan speculating that the shop could sell “anything from a donkey to a four-engine bomber”.

Please keep the recommendations coming. Our team will be paying visits to your favourite shops over the summer, with the best being showcased in a special edition of the Magazine on August 25th.

Tell us about your favourite shop or shop-keepers by emailing bestofirishshops@irishtimes.com or by inserting your comment below.