The Dublin Community Blog

Dublin Council is considering adding new street trading locations around the city. Most are food stalls but there would be several Arts and Crafts spots around the city. The full list is available here but some highlights include

• Books and/or paintings under Merchants Arch
• Jewellery/Crafts on Capel Street Bridge
• Art and Photography in St Patricks Park

I think some high quality trader spots around the city would be good, so long as they encourage Irish crafts and artists. I do wonder about the need for more flower stalls on Grafton St and a food kart on the traffic island opposite college green seems like a good way to get drunk people to wander into traffic while eating a kebab, but in general the new spots could be good additions to the city.

As Christmas is virtually around the corner, and as books always make the best presents (at least in my personal opinion), Dublinblog would like to give you an overview of the top bookstores in Dublin. And no, Eason’s will not be featured in this list. And also I think that Amazon and Co. are not comparable when it comes to browsing through dusty encyclopedias, holding a book in your hand and chatting to knowledgeable staff and with regulars while standing amongst hundreds of old and new books. Go away, Kindle. So, to help support active reading and distribution of real books, why not buy a book (or 5 – one in each store) in one of these shops instead of purchasing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at Gamestop this Christmas.

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I love markets and its so exciting to see a new market start up.  May 3rd next sees the launch of the Art & Crafts Market in Newmarket Sq, Dublin 8 – 5 minutes walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is held on the first Sunday of every month from 11am to 5pm.

In these tough economic times, the market also encourages people to embrace their creative side and make some extra money doing it. So if you think you have a great idea that will sell or think that you can make some money from your favourite hobby then why not take a stall?

On the first Sunday of each month, 35 stall holders will set out their wares and with stalls priced at just €30, the ethos is low rent equals low price and haggling is encouraged!

With free parking on a Sunday and an ideal indoor location, come rain or shine the Art & Crafts Market is a great, fun day out for all the family with entertainment and a cafe offering delicious home made treats.

And if that wasn’t enough we also will be giving away two artworks absolutely free to a lucky winner each month!

Further information including location directions, stall booking and featured stall holders can be found on the Arts & Crafts Market website.

Happy shopping and selling!

Walking up High St earlier today I spotted a banner on a railing Recession Bus Tours.

# Transport from Dublin to Newry in a luxury coach

# After you ‘shop-til-you-drop’ we take all your bags off your hands in Newry and deliver them direct to your doorstep in our fleet of vans (in association with Sainsburys and The Quays Shopping Centre) sealed up in specially designed containers

# You can put your feet up, relax and listen to the radio or watch TV while getting transported in comfort back to Dublin

Coach leaves at approx. 8am – 6 days a week in a pick up point near you, and returns at 2.30pm approx. On receipt of your booking we will arrange a local pick up point near your house.

Sounds to me like a great idea. Yes some may say “what happened to buying Irish” but with the “R” world looming large, I wish this enterprise well. I may even use their service myself sometime. Certainly something to consider.

I’m so sad to hear that Road Records is closing its shop on Fade St after 11 years. Well known as an outlet for independent musicians and local Irish releases, it also hosted many single launches and live performances. Many of which I attended. According to the statement on their website downloading (legal and illegal), online below cost sellers, decrease in footfall, increase in rent, insurance etc, are some of the reasons for the closure decision.

The reasons for the downturn are many and varied and if there was just one then we could try overcome that in some way but its no longer possible to pinpoint just one.

I will try list some of the reasons I see for the death of the small shop and I really do hope I am not right in thinking that many more will go the same way, I have always been optimistic that this city can sustain a couple of smaller indie shops but I no longer believe that to be true, again, I really hope I am wrong with this opinion but the way people go about buying their music these days does not instill me with too much confidence.

It really is the end of an era. I’m not even sure if there are any remaining Indie music stores open in Dublin.

Christmas Flea Market:

Further information can be found on their blog here.

Its the shopping time of year again and what better way to start/finish pressie buying than a trip to the National Crafts and Design Fair currently taking place in the RDS Main Hall. With 500 stands and a Food Festival there should be lots to keep you entertained. Entrance is €10 and the fair continues until Sunday Dec 7th. Opening times and further details can be found here.

Happy shopping

Gorgeous goods from Irish designer Orla Kiely are usually only available in the likes of Brown Thomas and cost hundreds of Euro. So I was impressed when I heard she had collaborated with Bewley’s to create a limited edition tea caddyfor just €6.99.
I picked it up on Bewley’s Grafton Street on my home last week and am well chuffed with it.