Sustainability and shopping secondhand has become more important to people in Ireland in recent years. Here are ways you can do your bit and shop more circular.
Secondhand and circular shopping has become more popular in Ireland in recent years as many of us turn our attention to living more ethically. By shopping secondhand we promote environmental sustainability by reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions and curbing the demand for resource-intensive, fast-fashion production.
On a smaller scale, it’s also good for our pockets. Shopping secondhand and circular is cost-effective and also allows us to grow our wardrobes and homes with unique, high-quality items at a much lower price.
Secondhand shopping platforms
Over the years, more secondhand apps and websites have arrived on Irish shores. These allow us to shop directly from one another’s wardrobes, which makes the adage ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ ring true. By downloading an app like Depop or Vinted, you can search exact items that you’re looking for and pick them up at a fraction of the price.
Here are some of our favourite apps:
BUNDLE Club (launching summer 2026)
Local charity shops
It may seem like a no-brainer, but shopping at your local charity shop is the best way to shop secondhand. Not only are you promoting environmental sustainability by picking up secondhand items, you’re also strengthening your community and your place in it by contributing funds towards vital services and providing local volunteering opportunities.
Many people tend to forget that charity shops sell more than just clothes, in them you can also pick up toys for children, cutlery or furniture for your home or even your next read as many charity shops have sections dedicated to books.
If you’re unsure where your local charity shop is located, check our Charity Retail Ireland.
Flea markets
Not unlike charity shops, flea markets are also a great way to shop sustainable and secondhand items while also supporting your local community and small businesses. However, while flea markets are on the uptake around Ireland, this means that shopping at them can provide you with a curated experience, helping you to find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether it’s vintage clothing, furniture or jewellery, here are a few flea markets around the country to check out.
Le Zeitgeist Flea Market – Dublin
Strandhill People’s Market – Sligo
Marina Market – Cork
St Georges Market – Belfast
Flea Style Market – Galway
Mountain View Markets – Ballyhale, Kilkenny
Clifden Market – Connemara
Kerry Flea Market – Kerry
Ballymahon Market – Longford
The Milk Market – Limerick
Rental clothes
Many of us have taken agin to buying something only to wear it once. Whether it’s a wedding you have coming up or a themed birthday party, no one wants to dosh out the guts of €100 to have an item of clothing hang in your wardrobe for years to come. This is where rental fashion comes in handy.
Ireland has improved and expanded its rental fashion market, driven by a surge in sustainable, high-end, and accessible options. Platforms like Rag Revolution, Drobey, and Happy Days offer curated designer pieces for weddings, races, and other events, often featuring nationwide delivery and expanding size options up to size 20.
Here are some of our favourite fashion rental services to check out.
