Ireland is probably most famous for its crystal, such as Waterford, Galway, Dublin, Tipperary and Kinsale. Craftsmen, using skills handed down from generation to generation, produce arguably the most beautiful and famous pieces of glasswork in the world. (Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre 
Tel: (353) (0) 51 373311).

Aran sweaters, Irish Tweed and Irish Linen also spring to mind when considering shopping in Ireland. Huge ranges of the best quality clothing, pottery and souvenirs can be found throughout Ireland.

Irelands top fashions and the best of Irish design can be found in the elegant flagship department store, Brown Thomas, located in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

Modern clothing stores have become very European, with all the leading well known names such as Laura Ashley, Marks and Spencer, Next, Principals, Benetton, and Lain competing in the Irish market place. Other stores found in Ireland are The Body Shop, Boots and Habitat. Similarly, grocery shopping is now dominated by the supermarket chains such as Tesco, Supervalu, Centra and Dunnes Stores. All offer an excellent standard and are competitively priced. There is also a huge range of small, family owned, foods shops offering a vast array of specialty foods and traditional Irish favourites such as smoked salmon and wonderful farmhouse cheeses.

Belfast offers the full range of both Irish and European shops, stylish cafés and extended shopping hours - quality standing alongside excellent value. Northern Ireland is also home to the exquisite Belleek, Tara and Irish Dresden potteries - all with beautifully presented showrooms.

Be assured that in modern Ireland somebody somewhere is selling whatever you want to buy. The difference being that in Ireland shopping is a sociable pastime with time always allowed for a chat and a break for a coffee or Guinness along the way.