The Northwest —
Special Places to Shop

Photos: Colorful hand-woven Donegal tweed jackets are synonymous with shopping in County Donegal and all of the Northwest.

Hand-woven tweed, hand-knit sweaters, and other traditional crafts are specialties in the Northwest of Ireland. Here is a sampling to whet your shopping appetite:

The Crafter’s Basket, N 15, Cliffoney, Co. Sligo (tel. 071-916-6515).  Housed in a former post office, this treasure-trove of wools, yarns and crafter’s supplies is well worth a stop on the main Sligo-Donegal road.  In addition to crafting supplies, there is a good café on the premises. Closed Sunday. Web site: www.craftersbasket.com

The Craft Shop/Forget-Me-Not, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-1168), sells crafts from all over Ireland -- jewelry, figurines, tweed paintings, bog oak sculptures, and more. Closed Sunday.

Donegal Craft Village, 1 mile south of Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-2225), see crafts-in-the-making and buy from the source -- in a delightful cottage setting, with café.

Folk Village Shop, Glencolumbkille (tel. 074-973-0017) is part of the Fr. McDyer Folk Village Museum (see "A-1 Attractions"), but is well worth a visit in its own right for smart shopping. The shelves of this white-washed cottage are well-stocked with the arts and crafts of members of the local community — from handknit sweaters, hats, and gloves to crochet work, turf-craft art, books, jewelry, and assorted cottage industry souvenirs. Since the Folk Village operates as a charitable trust, purchases are not subject to VAT (sales tax), so you save some money and help a good cause by shopping here. Closed: October - March. Web site: www.glenfolkvillage.com

Four Masters Bookshop, The Diamond., Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-1526) for books of Irish interest, postcards, art supplies, Waterford Crystal, Celtic watches, jewelry, etc.

John Molloy, Main St., Ardara (tel. 074-954-1133) is a tweed-weaving enterprise in Ardara. This factory shop offers Donegal tweed by the yard, as well as tweed suits and coats, scarves, ties, hats, caps, rugs, and skirt lengths. In addition, there is a wide selection of hand-knitted Aran sweaters, Belleek Pottery, and other souvenirs. Hours vary according to season. Another branch is located at Glencolumbkille (tel. 074-973-0282). Web site: www.johnmolloy.com

Magee of Donegal, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-2660). Established in 1866, the Magee name is synonymous with Donegal tweed. This landmark store not only offers fine tweeds for sale but also gives demonstrations of tweed-weaving (June to September). Closed Sunday. Web site: www.mageedonegal.com

Melody Maker, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-2326), traditional music on cassettes, CDs, etc. Web site: www.donegalmusicshop.com

Organic Centre Eco Shop (R 281, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim (tel. 071-985-4338) – stocks a range of eco-friendly products including books, seeds, seasonal organic vegetables freshly baked breads and cakes, organic confectionery, fair-trade products, toys, toiletries, and more. Web site: www.theorganiccentre.ie/eco_shop

Simple Simon, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 086-224-7953), is a local favorite for its healthy food products including farmhouse cheeses, nuts and yogurts for snacks, and a deli. Also located at Plunkett Rd., Letterkenny; and Castle St., Ballyshannon.

Ward’s Music Shop, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-1313), sells Irish music instruments, from harps and bodhrans, to flutes, tin whistles, and concertinas, as well as bagpipes, mandolins, accordions, sheet music, and more.

William Britton & Sons, Main St., Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-1131), established in 1874, this is Donegal’s leading jeweler, for silver, pens, watches, sports-related sculptures, etc.

Wool ‘n Things, Main St., Donegal Town (074-972-3088), for knitwear, yarns and knitting supplies.

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