GLAM

it up in
Dublin
By
orna
ballout

GLAM gives you the lowdown on Ireland’s

fashion capital, Dublin, exploring the best
places to shop, sight see, eat, relax and,
if you’re lucky, party with the stars.
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S tereotypical Ireland is perceived by many as what you see
in the movies; expanses of green countryside with villages
that are filled with traditional, friendly folk-all of whom
have an extreme fondness for alcohol! While some of these
perceptions are true, Dublin is a multi-cultural city that offers
the most discerning fashion traveller a mix of modern and
traditional with its array of boutiques, malls, markets, nightlife,
restaurants and historical sights.
Shopping in Dublin
There are many great shopping areas in Dublin; however, a
walk down Grafton Street will provide a variety of choice
with a selection of high-end and affordable stores. It houses
all the usual high street faves like Topshop, River Island,
Office, Coast etc.
A visit to Ireland’s home grown luxury mall, Brown Thomas, is
a must; at least a couple of hours are required to consume
its extensive offerings of the latest designer collections of
handbags, fashion, beauty and accessories.
For all you foot fetish fashionistas, the second floor is devoted
to a fantastic shoe collection, stocking brands such as LK
Bennett, Kurt Geiger and more high-end collections Gucci,
Louboutin and Chloe (to name a few).
In the clothes department, the list of available designer brands
is endless and would take pages to discuss but a key note
is you can avail of Greek-born designer Mary Katrantzou’s
latest range which caused a stir at London fashion week.
Take a trip on the luas (silver trams you’ll notice snaking
around the city) to Dundrum Shopping Centre; be extra
vigilant when crossing roads for oncoming trams, there has
been many an incident of pre-occupied walkers carelessly
getting injured by walking out in front of one.
On arrival at Dundrum, be prepared to shop until you drop in
the surroundings of Ireland’s award winning shopping centre.
A good stop to visit here is Harvey Nichols, which specialises
in many international luxury brands; also head to London
designer favourite, Lipsy, and treat yourself to a cute party
dress from the latest collection which boasts a cult following
of celebrities and stocks the range of singer Pixie Lott’s
sought after line. Fast-food restaurants are around to tackle
hunger when it strikes; for a finer dining experience, head to
the top floor which contains a larger selection of restaurants
for those with a refined palette.
GLAM globe trekker
A visit to Avoka store on Suffolk Street offers a unique
shopping experience; it has many offerings including
household items like luxurious throws made from lamb’s
wool and mohair and quirky jewellery. The best aspect of
the store, however, is nothing to do with the clothing but the
cafe nestled on the top floor; here you will find scrumptious
dishes (the best thick cut home-made chips), with portions
so huge, that its recommended you only order one meal
between two!
For edgier shops, the best place to visit is Powerscourt
Townhouse Centre. This homes a great vintage store, The
Loft Market, offering quirky pieces and award winning lines
of Ireland’s youngest talents. A trip to the boutique, Covet,
gives customers the option of renting key seasonal high-
end pieces at a fraction of the price (good news if you’ve
gone overboard spending in other stores and are looking for
something ultra fashionable to wear just for a night!)
If planning a December trip, it’s worth visiting the Christmas
market held at George’s Dock in the IFSC from 3-22
December. Bartering for gifts isn’t a common occurrence in
Ireland but here, if lucky, you might be able to arrange a
deal with the workers of the stalls, which are packed with
jewellery, stocking fillers and leathers.
Dining
If you’re a fan of steak and searching for a luxury dining
experience then venture to Shanahan’s On The Green. It’s
famous for super tasty slabs of beef, but, be warned that
prices are steep and a steak will cost QR230 +.
Acapulco, a Mexican cuisine on South Great Georges Street,
is another recommended spot to dine at a reasonable price.
The food is good and friendly staff are on hand to provide a
promising evening in quirky surroundings.
Partying
For an exclusive night on the tiles and the opportunity to
maybe party with some celebrities, visit Lillie’s Bordello on
Grafton Street. This hotspot allures the fashionable elite
of the city and is renowned for throwing lavish bashes; its
celebrity fans include Rihanna, U2 and all the Irish models.
Another celeb spot is Krystal nightclub, situated on Lower
Camden Street; this club has great promotions on a Friday
night of QR15 cocktails before 12pm.
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 Phoenix Park
The world’s largest enclosed park in a city covering
a whopping 707 hectares in total; to put into
perspective its twice the size of New York’s Central
Park and around 5 times the size of London’s Hyde
Temple Bar
Park. Its grounds home Dublin Zoo which is great
to visit if you have the time. It is advisable to avoid This is the to
ur
visiting the park at night, especially if alone, as high quirky shop ist hub of the city. Ther
s, traditional e
level of crime rates in Ireland is a reality and one street perfor pubs, fine re is a range of
should always take precautions. (advisable nomers dominating the costaurants and
here). The t to wear high-heels w bbled streets
pl
and becom ace can pack up at alking around
e slightly ov the weekend
ambience is er
hard to beat crowded, however, th s
as the Irish an d it’s where yo e
say, ‘the crai u’ll have,
c’.

Trinity College
For your intellectual side, head to one
of the city’s oldest buildings (dates
back to 1700’s), take a stroll around
the beautiful grounds and visit the
huge library which contains over one
million books.

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 GLAM globe trekker

In the clothes department,

the list of available designer brands
is endless and would take pages to
discuss but a key note is you can
avail of Greek-born designer Mary
Katrantzou’s latest range which
caused a stir at London fashion week.

Another fixture on lower Camden Street is Copper Face Jacks, it’s situated
next to Krystal and often gets so packed that one can barely move. It doesn’t
have the greatest reputation in the country as drink-fuelled attendees can
often become ‘sleazy’.
However, as with the hit and miss aspect of all club scenes, it all depends on
the crowd and the people you’re with-sometimes this club paves the way for
a great night out.
Where to Stay
If seeking an ultra luxurious hotel, The Westbury, is a good choice. Located on
Grafton Street, it’s a stone’s throw away from all the shops and a perfect pad
for a shopping trip. Avail of one of its many packages, ladies will enjoy the
‘Because she’s worth it’ option; at QR2,400 it includes a pampering session
with a newly opened luxury salon, Dylan Bradshaw, offering a hair blow-dry,
make-up application and manicure (accompanied with a glass of bubbly). The
package also includes a 3 course meal in Cafe Novo, a complimentary cocktail
in The Marble Bar and a glass of red wine in your room on arrival! And not to
forget a full Irish breakfast for two in the morning; obviously to perk you up
from the exhaustive night of boogying on the town the night before and to
gear up for a busy day ahead.
Horse-racing
Similar to Qatar, Ireland is passionate about everything horsey and its horse
trainers and breeding facilities are world renowned. Impressively, on a yearly
basis it holds around 300 festival and race meetings spread throughout 26
race courses; not bad for a country its size.
A day out at the races is an absolute must for everyone, especially fashionistas,
as it provides ample opportunity for fillies to glam up in new threads and
parade the track; there may even be a chance to win the prize for best
dressed lady. A Suggested upcoming fixture is Leopardstown Race course in
Dublin, one of the most prestigious horse tracks, which is hosting a Christmas
hunt festival 26-29 December

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