These one-off shopping experiences are popping up around the country, making our gift shopping that much easier and more enjoyable
Irish Pop Up Collective (10 December)
Over 55 Irish brands and businesses are coming together on 10 December for the biggest ever Irish Pop Up Collective (IPUC) event. The third IPUC will feature some of the best Irish fashion, accessories, interiors, craft, beauty, and gifts businesses under one roof making it the perfect place to shop for Christmas. And for the first time ever, the IPUC will feature festive workshops including wreath-making by Flowerpop, macrame Christmas decorations by Astrl Fibres and printed wrapping cloth by Liz Walsh textiles.
The IPUC event is free and takes place in the Carlisle Suite at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire from 10am-7pm on Sunday 10 December with free parking in Dun Laoghaire on Sundays. Full details and information on booking workshops can be seen by following @irishpopupcollective on social media.
Gather at Kildare Village (until 31 Dec)
This autumn, luxury shopping destination Kildare Village partners with the Kildare Local Enterprise Office to launch Gather – a creative pop-up showcasing the work of 24 of the best craft and design makers and brands from the Kildare region. Also supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Gather is now open until the end of December.
Designed to showcase the skills and creative brilliance of master crafts people in the Kildare region, this festive pop-up brings together 24 makers across homeware, fashion, textiles, jewellery, digital print, ceramics, and wellness. It has a gorgeous curated collection of makers creations including nightwear from Moon + Mellow, woodwork by Warren Hayes, bags made from ocean plastic by Aoife Rooney, ceramic jewellery by Sarah McEvoy, and leather goods by Garvan de Bruir, to name a few.
Another notable pop-up at Kildare Village is Simone Pérèle – the iconic French lingerie brand. Just in time for Christmas, this pop-up store promises a memorable shopping experience that will captivate loyal customers and invite newcomers to indulge in the luxurious and inclusive range.
Dundrum Town Centre – Dublin
If you’re thinking of supporting some of the best Irish pop-up brands this Christmas, look no further than Dundrum Town Centre. Some of the new-in festive pop-ups include The Head Plan, By Jenny McCarthy, Link and Co and many more! Entrepreneurial powerhouse sister duo, Sinead Keary and Sarah Keary have also launched their own pop-up shop. The Sinead Keary The Label and BySK by Sarah Keary pop-up is open in the Centre until late January.
The magic of Christmas at the Centre doesn’t stop there – make sure to bring the little ones down to write and post their all-important Santa letter at the Santa’s Magic Post Box on Level 3 beside H&M Kids. With Santa’s Grotto opening on the 27 November, kids can even pay a visit to Santa’s Christmas Wonderland later in the month and talk through their list, face-to-face.
Aoife Mc Namara – Adare, Co Limerick (until 31 Dec)
Sustainable Limerick fashion brand Aoife Mc Namara has launched a ‘Christmas Creative Pop-Up’ at its thatched Cottage in Adare, bringing together an array of fellow independent Irish businesses for a unique Christmas marketplace. Alongside her ethical womenswear, accessories and lifestyle pieces, visitors to Aoife’s Cottage can now explore Irish-made skincare, jewellery, candles, chocolates, and hair accessories, as well as original and print pieces from Irish female artists.
Open daily until 31 December, Irish brands popping up in the space include Seabody Skincare, OCHRE. Candles, Ethos Stress Care products, SIADBH Jewellery, Aoife Mullane Design and Grá Chocolates. Irish artwork from Audrey Hamilton, Aoife Scott, Elouise Flannery, Cliodhna O’Doherty and Ciara O’Neill will also be on display.
Queens of Archive at Arnotts
Slow fashion label Queens of Archive has landed in Arnotts for the festive season and we couldn’t be happier about it! The autumn winter collection features vintage inspired dresses and blouses in winter florals, gold metallic and shimmering star prints. Queens of Archive, founded in 2021, has become a firm favourite of Amy Huberman, Laura Whitmore and Imelda May. The brand was founded by friends Sarah Plunkett and Nicola Orme. Plunkett is a native of Tallaght in Dublin and is currently living in Manchester, while Orme is from Chester in England and resides in Belfast.
Both women have many years of experience in the international fashion business — Plunkett as a former visual merchandiser at Arnotts, and Orme as an experienced fashion designer. Queens of Archive is available instore and online at Arnotts now.
Christmas by Kilkenny Design – Kildare Village (Until Jan)
This is a dedicated Christmas boutique at Kildare Village and will provide a magical premium festive experience for shoppers. Featuring new, luxurious quality exclusive gift selections, Irish designed and made gifts, and premium traditional Christmas decorations – it is going to be a one stop destination for Christmas consumers.
It features well-known brands, Irish craft makers and designers including Kilkenny Design’s exclusive own range, soundwaves by JANO, Nicholas Mosse, Max Benjamin, Killarney Crystal, McNutt of Donegal, Emma Campbell Art, Jo Browne, Seoulista, Tan Organic, Green Angel, VOYA and The Handmade Soap Company. Christmas by Kilkenny will open 9am-7pm Saturday-Wednesday and 9am-8pm Thursday and Friday, in line with the Village opening hours.
Galway Christmas Market (10 Nov – 7 Jan)
The 2023 Christmas Market is the 14th year of the market in Galway and visitors can expect to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment and stalls located in Eyre Square from Friday, 10 November right through until Saturday, 7 January. Food lovers can feast on a bratwurst, French pastries, pretzels or confectionery, crêpes and waffles, while families and friends can enjoy a walk through the enchanted light gardens providing the backdrop for a Christmas Market photo.
You can also stop off at Santa’s post-box, interact with local charities and much more. This year the markets will also feature artisan food products and Christmas gift ideas from both local and European traders.
The Clarendon Collective – Dublin (until Jan)
The Clarendon Collective sees six female-led Irish brands gathering together for an exciting pop-up on Clarendon Street, Dublin running until January, with luxury clothing, table linens, home fragrances, handbags, skincare, artworks and loungewear on offer.
Shoppers can discover little pieces of luxury from Anna Daly’s clothing brand Little Bliss; candles and home fragrances from Alison Banton’s Brooke & Shoals range; luxurious handbags and leather accessories from My Name is Ted, headed up by Kasia Gaborec McEvoy and Brendan McEvoy; nourishing skincare from Ella & Jo Cosmetics, created by Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan; beautiful artworks from Sarah Wickham Designs; and elegant pyjamas and loungewear from Hollianne Phelan’s Cotone Collection. The Designed Table will also have a presence over the duration of the pop up.
Santa’s Magical Market at Marina Market – Cork (25 Nov – 23 Dec)
This gorgeous experience promises to be even more incredible than last year and includes interactive areas full of Christmas magic! Families can wander through snow kissed woods, ride on the amazing ‘Polar Express’ train into the magical Christmas village, help the elves make toys at the Elf Toy Workshop, make treats at Mrs Claus’s bakery, and pay a visit to the South Pole Post Office.
A big bonus for many is that it’s dog friendly so your four-legged friend doesn’t have to miss out on the family adventure. Your fur-baby can even be booked in for their own special visit with ‘Santa Paws’! The event is also fully accessible, and there’s a sensory hour each Sunday morning from 11am-12pm. Another fantastic benefit of Santa’s Magical Market is that you can make a day of it by soaking up the fantastic atmosphere of the Marina Market, and pick up some Christmas presents at one of Ireland’s top food and craft halls.
Louth Craftmark Designers Network – Dublin (until 31 Dec)
Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect Christmas present for a loved one, or planning to treat yourself, discover a wonderland of exquisite, handcrafted gifts at Louth Craftmark Designers Network in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.
Following the success of their August pop store, Louth Craftmark Designers Network, a group of talented crafters, designers and visual artists based in and around County Louth have opened a new Christmas shop on the first floor of Powerscourt Townhouse Shopping Centre in Dublin. The new store will showcase and sell an array of exquisitely crafted Irish treasures, from glistening glass art to cosy textile creations, charming ceramics, sparkling jewellery, luxurious silk scarves, opulent velvet wraps, willow baskets as well as snug felted shawls and accessories. Nestled alongside the Pepper Pot Café, the Christmas shop is open every day, from now until the end of December (Monday to Saturday from 10am-6pm, and Sunday from 12pm-6pm).
