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:

Britton & Daughters, Rossnowlagh (tel. 071-985-1974), opposite the Sand House Hotel, is Barry Britton's small cottage shop specializing in unique glass decorative wall hangings, hand-etched with heraldic crests or nautical, floral and wildlife designs. In addition, there are prints of Donegal, and posters and pottery with surfing and Irish music themes. Hours are flexible — don't be surprised to see a "gone surfing" sign in the window if the surf is up across the street at beautiful Rossnowlagh beach! Web site: http://www.barrybritton.com.

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.

The Craft Shop, The Diamond., Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-1168), sells crafts from all over Ireland -- jewelry, figurines, tweed paintings, bog oak sculptures, and more.

Crolly Dolls, Min Na Crieve, Annagry (tel. 074-954-8466). For 50 years, this small enterprise had produced Irish character dolls, dressed in Aran sweaters, tweeds, and other local clothing including colorful Irish dancing costumes. Open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Web site: www.crollydolls.com

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.

Elvery’s Sports, Main St., Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-5002), for rugby shirts, Gaelic sports clothing.

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. Open Easter to end-September, Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; and October, Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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. Other branches are at Glencolumbkille and in Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-2882). Hours vary according to season.

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). Open Monday-Saturday, year-round.

Melody Maker, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-2326), traditional music on cassettes, CDs, etc.

Simple Simon, The Diamond, Donegal Town (tel. 074-972-2687), is known for its healthy food products including farmhouse cheeses, nuts and yogurts for snacks.

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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