5 brilliant local boutiques and shops packed with hand-picked ideas for the festive season

Tired of shopping in the same old spots?
If you’re on the hunt for unique and unusual gifts for your nearest and dearest this year, some of the best goodies can be found if you venture a little off the beaten track.
A brave bunch of designers, interiors wizards, vintage spotters and creators have taken the leap this year and opened up their very own shops, everywhere from Douglas to Doneraile.
Here are five to visit on the shopping trail this Christmas:
1. WUNDERKAFFEE
Where: Farran Village
If botanicals and brews are two key elements to your perfect shopping experience, hit the road for Farran Village. Wunderkaffee is now open, with a curated selection of fascinating finds collected by florist Jill Wild and coffee by Eoin from Filter.
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2. SNOUT
Where: The Square, Ballincollig
This cute store is your best bet if you’re looking for natural, sustainable, useful, beautiful gifts and homeware in Ballincollig. Look out for their sheepskin slippers and waffle cotton blankets – both luxe gifts everyone will enjoy.
You can shop online too at snout.ie.
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3. SAUCY PUPS
Where: Douglas Village Shopping Centre (the one with Tesco)
Local illustrator Susan Mulcahy creates prints that will make your walls pop. As well as fun greetings cards, notebooks, plants, and plant pots, she also sells fabulous illustrations of Cork landmarks, all now available from her first-ever bricks-and-mortar shop in Douglas Village Shopping Centre.
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4. THE VILLAGE STORE
Where: Doneraile
From retro lighting fixtures to vintage rugs, sheepskins, clothing, records and jewellery, it’s difficult to leave the Village Store in Doneraile without a bargain or two under your arm.
They open 12pm to 5pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for browsing and coffee. Afterwards, take a stroll around Doneraile Court & Wildlife Park, 166 hectares of 18th-century landscaping.
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5. SUMMERHOUSE STUDIO
Where: Princes Street, Cork
Summer House Studio opened its doors on Cork’s bustling Princes Street over the summer, its shelves heaving with gorgeous Scandi-style decor. Store owner and designer Louise Keane stocks a lovely mix of furniture and homewares, vintage finds, paintings, earthenware jars, and Brooklyn Candle Studio candles from New York.
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