Day 13 of the Best Shops in Ireland and readers really want to tell their shop’s story. Clegg’s Shoe Repair, Dublin 6, a fifth generation establishment, is one example. The family has been in the same Rathmines premises since 1946. It is “one of the best cobblers I know with Ireland's only female cobbler”, writes Marie Power. Emily O’Callaghan is currently apprenticed to owner William Clegg.
Walsh’s Foodstore on Valentia Island deserves a special mention, writers Siobhan Shanahan. “After being closed for 21 years Donal Walsh reopened his father’s original shop in Knightstown. It is wonderful to see the old world architecture within the shop - it's like stepping back in time. They serve everything and if they don't have it in stock they will order it in for you. Donal is the son of Tony Walsh (an agile 93) who ran the shop with his now deceased brother Diarmuid. It's great to see the tradition being carried on.”
In the specialist shop category local fishmongers are thriving. If you fancy fish this Friday East Coast Seafood, Naas “has a beautiful selection of glistening fish in an immaculately clean display,” writes Tara McElligott. “Run by young couple James Kirwan and Renee Tallon James has seawater running through his veins. He is from the well-known Clogherhead fishing dynasty. There's a hustle and bustle in the shop, Filipino ladies looking for fish heads giving the Paddies advice on how best to cook our purchases and older members of our community who get ten per cent off on Wednesdays.
Whatever you buy wash it down with a sudsy craft beer another subject close to readers’ hearts. The Castle Off licence, Tralee “ has the largest choice of world beers and wines, lovely decor, a huge walk in fridge and great snacks too,” writes Doireann Barrett.
This is the third year of the Irish Times competition which launched in recession-blighted 2012. We've enlisted experts in their fields to sit on our judging panel, a new feature of the competition. Simon Pratt, MD of Avoca, Edmund Shanahan, a retail, fashion and homewares consultant, fashion designers and Frockadvisor columnists Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney and Irish Times journalist Alanna Gallagher.
How do you nominate your favourite shop? Go to Irishtimes.com/bestshops and fill in the form. Follow the competition on Hashtag bestshops14
Get voting.