Galway is a great place to shop local, with a wide selection of independently run boutiques to rival the giants of the high street. Read on to discover the first places to stop in the city if you’re looking to purchase something special.
With boutiques in Ennis, County Clare and Galway, the people behind Willow provide a stylish edit of contemporary clothing from evening wear through to jeggings – as well as shoes, gifts and accessories to beat the band. Noteworthy brands here include Essentiel Antwerp, Ted Baker and Guess.
Willow, 16/17 Mainguard Street, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 536 972
Courtesy of Willow
The creation of twin sisters Mary and Margaret, Les Jumelles on Church Lane has been selling upscale apparel to the women of Galway since 1997. They choose items for the store by attending major fashion industry events, including London and Paris Fashion Weeks. The resulting brand portfolio incorporates luxury labels like Helmut Lang and 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Les Jumelles, 2–3 Church Lane, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 564 540
Galway is just one of Choice boutique’s seven locations across the country, spanning from the west coast to the capital city of Dublin. Choice represents fashion brands that are winsome yet wearable, covering international names like Mama B as well as homegrown designers such as Peruzzi.
Choice, 22 High St, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 530 741
House of Portobello had modest beginnings as a small outlet in the Salthill area but has since come to hold its own in the city centre. This charming store stocks both new and pre-loved designer pieces, from Lanvin suede flats to paisley blouses by Kooples. Here, you can also swap and sell items you have outgrown.
House of Portobello, 8A Cornstore, Cross Street Lower, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 535 895
Courtesy of House of Portobello
Patrick Spellman established Freedom menswear boutique in Galway in 2002, after spending 20 years in the world of fashion buying. This invaluable experience is evident in his store’s accomplished selection of modern men’s clothing and footwear, which includes cutting-edge lines like Drunknmunky and the celebrity-endorsed Dirty Velvet.
Freedom, 10 Abbeygate Street Lower, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 865 989
Inspired by fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy, Victoria Beckham and Robin Wright, the team of style advisors at Don’t Call Me Dear take dressing seriously. This high-end occasion and wedding wear showroom is one of the leading boutiques in the west of Ireland. The team here can also provide style assessments, wardrobe planning, and personal shopping services for a special event.
Don’t Call Me Dear, 8 Mill Street, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 530 760
Having first opened in Dublin in 1997, Rococo ladieswear boutique now has a second store in Galway city, supplying beautiful clothes sourced from all over Europe, especially Copenhagen and Paris. Notable pieces include the RAINS collection of Danish rainwear and the chic Mos Mosh jeans.
Rococo, 7 Cross Street Upper, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 565 856
Courtesy of Rococo
The flagship store of menswear retailer Hanley & Co on Williamsgate Street was recently refurbished, creating even more space to spotlight their edit of men’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Labels from Armani down to Irish rugby player Tommy Bowe’s label XV Kings fill the trendy store, which is also known to host live gigs.
Hanley & Co, 8 Williamsgate St, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 567 951
An offshoot of the highly successful pop-up-turned-permanent store in Dublin, Nine Crows is one of Galway’s coolest boutiques. Specialising in vintage and reworked clothing, this super-fashionable store caters to both men and women. They even create their own lookbooks, providing guidance on how best to wear their garments.
Nine Crows, 2 Cross Street Upper, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 567 951
Courtesy of Nine Crows
Courtesy of Nine Crows
