Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Ireland
Timetable
Shops are generally open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Department stores open on Thursdays until 8 or 9 pm. On Sundays, some stores are open from noon to 5 or 6 pm (grocery stores, newsagents, etc.).
Budget & Tips
If prices are supposed to be a little higher than in France in normal times. The numerous sales periods, the incessant discounts in the big stores or the outlets on the outskirts of the big cities, like in Kildare (1h from Dublin) are a godsend for lovers of big brands at knock-down prices.
Of course, the vast majority of stores accept credit cards. In Northern Ireland, where the currency is the pound sterling, a commission will be charged on each payment.
Sales
To boost consumption after the recession, Irish stores have become accustomed to running promotions throughout the year. Sales (from the end of December to the end of January, in July), back-to-school promotions, end-of-series sales, special offers and so on. In this respect at least, Ireland beats France to the punch: shopping enthusiasts won't know where to turn!
Sales are therefore a very common practice in Ireland, whether they are generalized over a given period or one-off events such as Black Friday at the end of November.
What's very local
The classics range from national rugby team clothing for the sporty types, to a bottle of whisky and other local delicacies for the gourmets. A number of markets, particularly in Dublin, are a delight for locals. It's worth noting that haggling is generally frowned upon in Ireland, and in any case people will make you a friendly offer directly at the market.
Alcohol taxes are very high in the Republic of Ireland, so a bottle of Jameson, for example, costs less in France! If you really want to bring home some booze, take a trip to Northern Ireland, where taxes are lower. You'll findoff-licences in all border towns (Newry, Derry, etc.).