Thank you, Dublin charity shops, for locating within paces of each other on the same street. Shoppers on central city’s South Great George’s Street can quickly check the new offerings at the shops run by Oxfam, St. Vincent de Paul and Enable Ireland and then head a street away for the vintage shops in the historic St. George’s Arcade and surrounding streets.
Like all of the thrift shops we’ve encountered in the U.K. and Ireland, these three charity shops are beautifully organized, often by color and size. The inventory is small by overstuffed U.S. standards, so it may take quick trips to all three to find something in your style and size.
All three shops offer men and women’s clothing, as well as books, CDs, housewares and new jewelry. Upstairs in the Oxfam shop is a bridal boutique, most of the dresses new with tags and with prices ranging from 50 pounds ($71) to 400 pounds ($570).
In all three shops, labels such as M&S (Marks and Spencer department store), Zara and J. Crew were in evidence. Purses and shoes are in excellent condition.
The Enable Ireland shop, which supports children and adults with disabilities, has a well-designed front window, with jewelry claiming a lot of real estate. (One Irish jeweler’s ad reads, “I’ve got too much jewelry said no one ever.”) Inside, new earrings were 2 pounds each ($2.80) or 3 pair for 5 pounds ($7).
Enable Ireland advertises “clean and quality second-hand goods” and the promise is fulfilled. Racks held dresses in the 8 to 12 pound level ($11 – $17). Goods are kept on the shelf only for 7 days and purchases can be exchanged for up 24 hours after they’re bought. We saw a terrific men’s dark green windbreaker with a fancy embroidered sports shield for 11 pounds ($15.60). There’s also a Bargain Rail for clothes beginning at 1 pound ($1.40), where we saw a simple black dress by Zara Woman for just 2 pounds ($2.85).
At Vincent’s, the shop run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, there was a small vintage section in this two-story enterprise. Men’s clothing and books are upstairs, where we saw a brand new men’s black puffer jacket, perfect for Dublin drizzle, for 15 pounds ($21). Tourists who forgot almost-new wool hats and gloves can replenish them for 3 pounds.
As in all three shops, Oxfam neatly arranges its offerings with clearly marked tags. The result is, you can shop these Dublin stores a lot faster than their U.S. counterparts – and of course, still do good by buying from bona fide charities.
Oxfam Ireland Shop, Unit 2, Wicklow House, South Great George’s St., Dublin. (01) 478 0777 https://www.oxfamireland.org/shop/oxfam-georges-st.
Open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 2 to 6 p.m.
Vincent’s, 83 South Great George’s St., Dublin. (01) 675 0852 https://www.svp.ie/vincentsgeorgesstreet
Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Enable Ireland Charity Shop, 8 South Great George’s St., Dublin. (01) 478 2763 https://www.enableireland.ie/get-involved/shop-with
Open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ThriftStyle 