The best secondhand shops in Ireland, according to team IMAGE
From charity shops and consignment stores to vintage treasure troves, there are so many incredible places scattered all over Ireland that make shopping for sustainable, one-of pieces oh-so easy. Here are some of our favourites…
Hannah Stapleton, IMAGE Intern
We recently took a family trip to Dingle – or so we had planned, before bad weather and poor visibility rained on our parade. Next year, we’ll try again! After this, we stopped off in Killarney, where we had a stroll around, and I stumbled upon Hazel’s Nuts About Vintage, and luckily for me, I was in a pre-Electric Picnic rush to finalise outfits, and was in the right place! As a self-proclaimed lover of a ‘funky bit’, Hazel’s Nuts About Vintage had all the funky, sustainable vintage pieces I could have dreamt of. I will be sure to make a trip back to Killarney to pick up some more vintage gems!
Simone Kennedy, Events Manager
I absolutely love thrifting because you can find such gems at a fraction of the price, and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll come across someone with the same piece. For fashion, I browse Depop daily! When you first start using Depop, it can feel like endless scrolling, but here’s a top tip: pick your top 5 brands (mine are Ganni, RIXO, Maje, Sandro, and Sister Jane) and search for them. Then, every day, check your search bar to see if any new items from those brands have been posted.
For interiors, I love Pete’s Antiques! Grab a coffee before you go, as you’ll likely spend over an hour wandering around. I also love SVP Navan, where you can find so many furniture pieces perfect for upcycling. Second-hand furniture can add such character to a home and is often of better quality than much of the furniture produced today.
Amber O’Shea, Social Media Manager
My favourite place for browsing antiques is Kilkenny Architectural Salvage & Antiques Ltd. It’s a bit off the beaten track, just 15 minutes from Kilkenny town centre, but packed with amazing finds like vintage post boxes, bathtubs, and Guinness pub signs. I could spend all day there! Add this to your list and you won’t regret it.
Kilkenny also has some great second-hand shops like St. Vincent de Paul, Oxfam, and Enable Ireland, all on the same street. Afterward, grab a pesto and mozzarella panini from The Gourmet Store — it’s a must-try!
Emily O’Neill, Marketing Account Executive
I absolutely love Ruby Ruby Designer Consignment! We did a shoot there last year and ever since I have adored it. They have such an amazing range of pre-loved designer items to suit any budget. If you are in the market to treat yourself, I highly recommend a visit.
Sarah Gill, Staff Writer
I’ve bought the majority of the dresses and waistcoats in my wardrobe from Spice Vintage, and I never get sick of the excitement of nabbing a one-of-a-kind piece in the fast-paced environment of these limited stock drops. Owner Gracie is an expert curator, only buying in the cream of the vintage crop, and it’s consistently high quality across the board.
I’m also a big fan of a browse in 35mm Vintage in Dublin (and online) for comfy crewnecks and sweatshirts, Planet Retro in Galway for all things leather, and Public Romance (also in Galway) for patterned shirts and reworked knits. Honourable mention goes to Mother Jones Flea Market in Cork city, where literal hours can be lost browsing through the antiques and treasures, and the old school band tees and jerseys at York Street Clobber always manage to catch my eye.
Meghan Killalea, Marketing Account Executive
There are so many amazing secondhand shops nowadays, but for me one that stands out amongst the rest is Spice Vintage. Irish founder and fashionista extraordinaire Gracie hand picks each unique piece and showcases them in stylish ways on her Instagram before launching her stock drop, usually once a week. These stock drops are not for the faint of heart, but the feeling of elation at nabbing that one vintage piece you adore never gets old.
Doireann Murray, Chief Revenue Officer
I love the online store Preloved by Shay & Jo, run by Katrina Carroll (@vintageirishkat). She has a fantastic personality and is the best at finding second hand and vintage gems!
Lizzie Gore-Grimes, Editor-in-Chief
I am spending far too much time on the Wilson’s Yard Instagram page right now! Myself and my siblings are doing some renovation work on a small cottage in Wicklow that my parents bought when we were small, and we have found the most beautiful pieces through Wilson’s Yard.
Located up in Co Down, it is so worth a trip if you love a good rummage. From reclaimed floorboards (we bought some beautiful ones that came from an old brewery), to mid century office desks and completely random ephemera such as this driftwood dog they have it all.
Closer to home, I never miss a chance to pop into Unit K and Cobblers Wardrobe in Sandymount village, where owners Karen and Holly respectively always have great pieces of pre-loved designer gear to browse through.
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