These top 8 craft shops in Dublin made me ditch boring old gifts!
Did you ever stop and think, ‘Why do most gifts look the same nowadays’? Everyone mostly gets a new phone, bag, or pair of shoes. Don’t get me wrong—these are perfectly awesome presents. Still, these look too common for me to give away.
This made me browse the city for unique stores that can actually make me feel something. I almost gave up searching when I suddenly found a small art store. Apparently, it’s not small enough, since I left it carrying at least seven bags in total!
I ended up buying supplies and making most of my gifts too! I think it’s more fulfilling that way. So if you also wish to make something special with your own hands, here are the best craft shops in Dublin worth checking out.
1. Unique Crafts & Design Ltd
Media credit: uniquecraftsirl
Website: http://www.uniqueshop.ie/
Address: Unit 24 George’s Street Arcade, South Great George’s Street
Contact Details: +353 85 199 0999, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
From its name, Unique Crafts & Design is a craft shop in Dublin known for its one-of-a-kind, colourful handmade items and Irish-themed gifts created by local artists.
Many shoppers frequent it for authentic souvenirs and quirky home decor. Some of my favourites are the handcrafted earrings and necklaces, abstract lamps, wall art, and animal displays. There are a bunch of angel figurines too, if you’re into collecting those.
Pro tip:
Bring cash to Unique Crafts & Design to avoid any potential issues with using cards. There are other indie stores and cafes around George’s Street Arcade, anyway, so I think it pays to be prepared!
2. Art & Hobby
Media credit: artnhobby
Website: http://www.artnhobby.ie/
Address: Unit 9, 1st Floor, Jervis Street Shopping Centre, Jervis St, North City, Dublin 1
Contact Details: +353 1 874 5312, 01 456 5310, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 9 AM to 6:30 PM
- Thursday – 9 AM to 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 9 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 6:30 PM
Art & Hobby is a popular Irish store that provides a great selection of hobby kits, paints, games, stationery, and other art supplies in Dublin. It’s also quite roomy, so there’s enough space for visitors to roam around for a while.
This place also looks great for kids, especially those who love toys! The little ones can get their first pottery kits, canvases, puzzles, and other craft sets here.
Handy hack:
Compare Art & Hobby’s online and physical stores before visiting! Sometimes, the website offers more essentials and special deals you can easily click and collect.
3. Evans Art Supplies
Media credit: evans_art_shop
Website: https://store.evansartsupplies.ie/
Address: 5 – 6 Meetinghouse Ln, Mary’s Abbey, North City, Dublin 7
Contact Details: +353 1 872 6855, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Evans Art Supplies is among the oldest art stores in Dublin, offering extensive stocks of supplies for hobbyists, professionals, and students.
I believe many shoppers would appreciate its no-nonsense layout, with many organised rows of papers, brushes, paints, and other tools. There’s not a lot of clutter, so it’s easy to look for what you need for a big or multiple projects, especially at the last minute.
Nifty trick:
Bring a valid ID to Evans Art Supplies if you’re a student—you might get a special discount! This can help shoppers bulk buy paper, canvases, paint, and the like.
4. Crafty Studio
Media credit: craftystudio.ie
Website: http://www.craftystudio.ie/
Address: 2 Prospect Ave, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Contact Details: +353 1 558 7295, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10:30 AM to 4 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Want to take sewing as a hobby? Crafty Studio showcases a wide range of fabrics and sewing supplies that many professional dressmakers use.
Not only will you find fabrics in every colour, but you’ll also see lots of different patterns fit most preferences and seasons. There are unique textiles here too, in case you don’t want your projects accidentally looking similar to others.
Of course, it helps that the shop has threads, buttons, zippers, patchwork supplies, and other items you’ll need. For me, it’s better to have a list so you don’t forget anything.
Insider scoop:
Are you a beginner? Check out Crafty Studio’s sewing workshops online! It’s an amazing opportunity to learn to make your favourite clothes and meet artsy friends with the same hobbies.
5. This is Knit
Media credit: thisisknit
Website: http://www.thisisknit.ie/
Address: Floor 1, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, William St S, Dublin 2
Contact Details: +353 83 805 3211, Contact Form
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
This is Knit is the Dublin craft shop made for knitters of all skill levels. It boasts a big collection of fancy yarns and knitting kits, available in almost every shade and texture.
Besides the typical colours, you’ll find yarns dyed in various ways too! Some are speckled (contrasting), variegated (colours blending together or merging to a new one), hand-painted (or looking ‘brushed on’), and tonal blends (same colour family).
Whether you have a creative vision or just mixing options, I bet you’ll find something that works. You don’t have to start everything from scratch, either. You’ll see a bunch of ready-to-make knitting kits to give you a good head start.
Cool idea:
Continue a productive day after shopping at This is Knit by exploring the rest of Powerscourt Townhouse Centre! It’s filled with lovely boutique shops and cafes nearby. Who knows? Something here might just spark your creativity more.
6. Universal Art Supplies
Media credit: universalartsupplies
Website: https://universalartsupplies.com/
Address: 12 Harcourt St
Contact Details: +353 1 475 1749, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 4:30 PM
Inspired to be a painter? Whether it’s on a canvas or your walls, Universal Art Supplies is a Dublin craft shop that features a deep selection of paint colours (oil, acrylic, and watercolour) to ensure you get every brush and speck right.
There are lots of sketchbooks, canvases, and other drawing tools like artist-grade pencils, markers, and pens too. I especially like the various wooden and metal easels here, so you can easily display your work at home or your studio.
Savvy suggestion:
Consider bringing your finished works to Universal Art Supplies and try its framing services! For me, this is useful for odd-sized works. This also keeps your artworks secured and long-lasting, adding value if you plan to sell them.
7. Irish Design Shop
Media credit: irishdesignshop
Website: http://irishdesignshop.com/
Address: 41 Drury St
Contact Details: +353 1 679 8871, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
If you don’t have time to make artsy gifts on your own, you can always go to the Irish Design Shop! You can browse through plenty of traditional and modern Irish handicrafts, jewellery, and home decor.
The highlights for me are the wool textiles and scarves, ceramic bowls, mugs with matching coasters, and animal-themed plates. This place is a tad small, but I bet you can find some unique trinkets worth the stop.
For the bikers:
Why not ride your bike to the Irish Design Shop? There’s a decent space for bikes here! This makes it more convenient if you want to stay active after shopping and explore the nearby area for indie cafes and vintage boutiques.
8. Three Sisters Craft Glasnevin
Media credit: threesisterscraftdublin
Website: http://www.threesisterscraftglasnevin.com/
Address: 187 Botanic Rd, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Contact Details: +353 87 248 2583
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Should you want to surprise a loved one or just yourself with a random find, Three Sisters Craft Glasnevin showcases some of the most eclectic Irish crafts in the city. I love that this place supports small, local makers too!
This craft shop is also known for its handmade, wool Blankey Bear. Available in blue and pink, we think these make excellent gifts for the little ones. There are adorable wooden animal displays and diverse clothing options worth checking out here as well.
For the travellers:
Fancy a nice stroll after shopping? Visit the Botanic Gardens nearby! It’s only a few minutes away from Three Sisters Craft Glasnevin! And if you feel peckish, there are a couple of coffee shops around too.