Best for a bargain – Sue Ryder Foundation, Strand Road, Five Lamps. 

 

This shop is tucked away beside Spar on Strand Road. To find a gem you might have to rummage a bit, but they always have a bargain rail and Ladies Coats and Jackets for €3. The best bargain to date has been from a friend of mine, who picked up a red Barbour coat for just €3.

 

Best for vintage clothing – Oxfam, George’s Street / SVP George’s Street

 

These two, understandably based on their centrality, are the two best for vintage clothing in the city.. They’re more expensive and you could be paying between €8-20, but both have designated vintage clothes with a substantial variety. They also have normal clothes as well as books and Knic Knacs, but price wise you might be better off somewhere less Central.

 

Best for books – Oxfam Books, Temple Bar

 

Books here will be more pricey than most charity shops, which as standard have books between €1-2. However, for anyone wanting special criticisms or a heady collection of literature, this should be your go to. The classic literature section is particularly good, as well it’s designated Irish Fiction and history sections.

 

Best in Rathmines – NCBI, Rathmines Road

 

In Rathmines there’s a choice selection between Barnado’s, Irish Cancer Society, St Vincent de Paul and NCBI. Having lived in Halls (Dartry) for my first year, I got the opportunity to regularly sample each of them. Coming out on top in the NCBI, though the SVP comes at a close second. In terms of quality of selection, they’re the two best in Rathmines. Oxfam tends to stock clothes better suited to an older demographic and is generally the most expensive of the four. NCBI has a nice, open shop space and a good selection of clothing, which is rarely overpriced, as well as a quaint Bric A Brac section. 

 

Best for unusual/ interesting finds – Enable Ireland, George’s Street 

 

One of my favourite charity shop finds of the past two years has been a pair of black chunky Pepe Jeans platforms for 15 euro in Enable Ireland. They often have unconventional or deadstock designer pieces mixed in with the rest of their clothing, and it’s a great spot to find something unusual that’s also a bargain. 

 

Best for knick knacks, music etc- Age Action, Camden Street Lowe.

 Located at the end of Camden Street and close to Protobello, Age Action Ireland is the best for furniture pieces or miscellaneous bits, like records, films or CDs. Clothes wise, the selection is a bit limited and mid-range price wise for Charity Shops. It’s across the street from an Enable Ireland and an Irish Cancer Society, as well as being next door to Liberty Action, making the end of Camden Street a mini charity shop district for those willing to hike out (it’s about a 10-5 minute walk from the city centre).

 

Best overall – SVP, Sean McDermott Street

 

For both selection and shopping experience, St Vincent de Paul on Sean McDermott street comes out best. The large, spacious shop (opposite Kavanagh Court student accommodation) offers a variety of sections for men and women’s fashion, bric a brac as well as books and music.