Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane

I am so happy I found this little gem in Dublin! I wandered down Cow’s Lane after a big, Irish breakfast and was delighted by the treasures that I found. If you are interested in supporting local artisans, or are a tourist looking for something special to take home, then this is the place for you. I ended up buying a leather bracelet from Thundersolas and a beautiful necklace from Scribble & Stone. It was nice to be able to find some special, small items to take back to Seattle with me. The artists were all friendly and I am sure that if you are a tourist and need to transport something a long way, they would most likely be able to help you out. Definitely take a stroll down here some Saturday!

I stumbled upon this amazing cobble-​stoned street on a Saturday before Christmas which was buzzing with people and the most magical stalls of beautifully handcrafted goods of every description. I never heard of the place or knew of its existence yet it is very close to the main area of Temple Bar itself. I now make it my business to go there should I find myself in town on a Saturday.
I am told that the Designers Mart is only held each Saturday from 10.00 am till around 5.00 pm and has a host of designers at their own individually set-​up stalls selling a vast array of unusual goods such as beautiful handcrafted wooden bowls and decorative pieces, a variety of amazing jewellery, especially Shanna at one of the silver stalls, a guy who makes fantastic felt hats, bags, accessories and little stuffed 3D animals; t-​shirt stalls, beautiful and unusual art, pictures etc., most unusual ‘designer’ coats/​jackets and dresses; all sorts of headwear such as hats and scarves of every description and type of material, and I have to mention the most amazing snoods — each one different in colour and material type, fully reversible and fashionable… and there are many more such stalls displaying the best of Irish and Irish-​made handcrafts and designs — a perfect place to shop if you’re looking for something unusual and extra beautiful… maybe for a present or a treat for yourself.

It’s a pity that more people in Dublin don’t know about this little find. (Incidentally there is actually a shop in Cow’s Lane called Find, also worth checking out!)
From 10am — 5pm every Saturday, some of Dublin’s most creatively minded crafty geniuses dust off their trestle tables, get their head to toe thermals on, and rock the feck outa the lesser known part of Temple Bar.
The market currently has designers selling; wood turned goods (bowls, decorative pieces, etc), toonnnes of jewelry (precious metal and costume), all sorts of woolen apparel (hats, scarves, snoods, cowl necks, etc), t-​shirts, original drawings and prints, picture frames, tiny stuffed felt animals (from squirrels to oysters, I kid you not!), amazing coats /​jackets, and more (There’s the magic «and more»; meaning you’ll have to go and find out yourself!)
Shopping here is not just about supporting local Irish business and crafters, but genuinely about bagging yourself some truly unique wares.
The food market is also about four minutes down the road if you are hungry for some seriously delish nosh.

I am head over heels in love with the Designer’s Mart on Cow’s Lane! Shopping has become so convenient and affordable these days, I feel like people are nearly as attached to their clothes as they used to be. And nothing is really as unique or special as so many of the things we wear are mass-​produced on factory lines.
That’s why I really love the Designer’s Mart, which allows independent designers to showcase their work in a really wonderful and fun atmosphere every week. Here you will not only find extraordinarily crafted clothes, accessories and jewelry, but you’ll also interact with the designers themselves. You can discover the whole story about a piece from the artist who made it and in turn become connected to it in a way you will never be to even your favorite high street gear.
There is a lot of talent here, and if you see something you love I recommend buying. It usually ends up you’ll never see it or anything like it again, and regret it forever. So get out there, support local, independent designers and find something truly special!

What a great way for upcoming clothing and jewellery designers to display their wares! The Cow Lane Markets are great for a browse on a Saturday afternoon wander through Temple Bar.
They always have the usual hippie-​type clothing stores here, and enough jewellery to bore even the keenest jewellery shopper, but some of the clothing stalls are not to be missed.
Once I came across a young French designer who was selling the most gorgeous and interestingly-​cut winter dresses. You know, the kind that look amazing with a pair of stockings and boots… The dresses were so unique and so well designed I lusted after one of them for weeks… the 65 euro pricetag was too much for me at the time, and I haven’t found this particular stall since, but I am still on the lookout (despite it being Summer and all!)
Some of the jewellery is to die for, especially the silver wares from the lady who often brings her dog along. Check out some of her jewellery pieces!

Cow’s Lane Market is great for browsing for gifts or for a special fashion treat. It attracts young designers who can sell their work directly to customers. The focus is on fashion and jewellery and the pieces tend to be original and artistic. The styles range from punky to hippie to classy so there is something for everyone. The stalls are usually manned by the designers themselves so you can have a chat with them about their pieces and the process of making them.
The pieces are original and unique and the work is often intricate so the prices will reflect that. Mind you, I did manage to pick up a cute and colourful scarf cum top for € 20 and much of the jewellery is really reasonably priced. Definitely a more personal shopping experience than an afternoon in Topshop!

This place is fab if you are looking for well made, designed and unique pieces of clothing from super cool Irish designers. You can pick up some fab dresses for your Debs or posh night out that nobody else will have and you will really stand out from the crowd! Then why not pick up a one off piece of jewellery or hand bag to finish off the outfit? The best thing about this is you really are supporting and encouraging great Irish talent!

The Designer’s Mart has been running for 2 years and showcases works from over 30 Irish artists. The stalls are set up on Cow’s Lane, a quiet cobblestone street at the end of Temple Bar.
The market sells a variety of different things: jewellery, clothes, photography, stained glass, handmade soaps, cards and crafts and tons of other stuff.
It runs every Saturday from 10 until 5, rain or shine. So get your butt out of bed and go shopping for original creations!