I bought a pair of expensive hiking boots there in December last year and quickly found out there…read morewas a size problem. There was no problem with the return. Unfortunately I had another problem with a serious defect in the replacement boots while walking the Camino. Again there was no problem when I returned. They gathered the facts and agreed to replace the boots with a new pair. The customer service was friendly and helpful and common sensed! Ian in particular was great to deal with. Great place to shop.

I needed wetsuit booties and I got wetsuit booties…read more I immediately sought out a sales person after I stepped through the door and they brought me through my bootie options. Then I was brought my size for a try in the booties I opted for and they seemed right. I tried the next size down just to be sure. And I was. Bish bash bosh, booties got. (I love the fact they are called booties, makes me smile every time) To be honest my visit here today was rushed (as I was tight on time and knew what I wanted), but it appears to have a lot going on in the store. The Great Outdoors brand is a bit pricey though, this and their other main store around the corner are the only shops of their types on this side of town and they know it. But the staff know their stuff and they do stock a good range of gear.

Having taken the skin of most of my knuckles last time I tried I was understandably reticent to try…read moreto and put in the front bulbs of my car this time round. Passing Halfords I noted that they had a big sign saying this was the sort of thing they will do, so, happily willing to risk the knuckles of a complete stranger, I wandered in. The bulbs were a bit cheaper than buying from a petrol station and the staff are happy to help you choose the right ones. I proceeded to the checkout and paid, mentioning that I was not man enough to fit my own bulbs and could someone do if for me. The bill seemed high but I wasn't really thinking so just paid and followed the very helpful guy to my car. He fitted the bulbs in about 3 mins... it took me half a day and a lot of swearing last time. ...now this is where I admit I had just presumed the fitting is an added service to get customers in. Not so, it cost 10euro extra. Worth every cent for the front lamp. Could have done the back myself (said quentin, trying to regain some semblance of masculinity).

Would like to give huge thanks to Patrick in Halfords carickmines today…read more Job WELL done Thanks again

Always enjoyable to visit a Patagonia store. The people who work there are very friendly and really…read morelove the products. There was a summer sale going on with some items up to 30% off. Very nice selection of items and exactly what you would expect of Patagonia.

I have been a long-time fan of Patagonia apparel. They excel by focusing entirely on apparel for an…read moreactive lifestyle, and they really do cover all the bases of that. From wicking underwear to base layers to shirts and pants to windbreakers to full on parkas, Patagonia can take you naked and outfit you instantly to face the harshest of climates. Their products are extremely well-made and last a long, long time. Which is a good thing, because there's no way in hell I could afford to shop here on a regular basis. Now, this location is an outlet, meaning they sell merchandise from past seasons at a reduced price. The prices are indeed reduced heavily, but the fact that the starting price is so high means the reduced price is still high. I took a look around the store and was dismayed that I couldn't even buy a single item. Even a bra was only reduced to 27 euros. Sad face. If you are a camping nut or just enjoy being outside, this place is worthy of a stop in. Their stuff is really excellent and fun to just look at a wish for, as I do. The main drawback is that, because it is an outlet, you don't have as many options. You're definitely not seeing their full range, which is even more impressive.

This is a good place for getting bags or backpacks if you're semi-serious about using them. The…read moreschool-bags and rucksacks sold here are of better quality than those sold at other bagshops in the city centre, and last longer. A rucksack I got here about 5 years ago is still going strong and it has been subjected to a reasonable level of abuse and travelling. On saying that I agree with Mary that if you're going to be climbing Alps or Andes or something like that you might need to go to a more serious camping store. However K2 does the job for those of us with lesser expectations of our exertions!

K2 is a great store for those looking for cheap gear. Maybe you're new to camping and don't want to…read morespend a lot of money on stuff that you might only use once. Maybe you're going car camping or to a festival for the weekend. You're not going to need anything major, just a cheap ole tent, a backpack, maybe some boots for a bit of hiking and a rain jacket of course. K2 has all that you need, and nothing is going to break the bank. I do think it is hilarious that the store is named K2, which is the second highest mountain on earth after Everest. Absolutely nothing sold at this store would withstand the conditions on K2. Imagine trying to sleep up there in a tent that cost 14 euros. Ha!

I heard of O'Meara Camping Centre only very recently and when we needed to replace a small gas…read morecylinder for our up and coming camping adventure, we swung by Crumlin for a look into O'Meara's. And we were so glad we did. Not only did they have the gas, but they had this excellent fold up trestle table. Something we've needed for a good while now and definitely for this trip we've planned. 79 EUR for the table and 22 EUR for the gas. The place had masses of stuff for everything caravan and camping. There was a super comfy fold-up chair that we almost came away with also. A few gripes: it's a bit cramped and messy in places. Also the display of prices could be improved greatly. But there is no real need to go rooting in the shop, as the gentleman who served us told us if something is on their website, it's in the shop. So browse online and then go collect what you're are after. Or have it delivered. There is parking on-site. When you turn in off the road, drive through the first yard and down the right hand side of the first building. You can't miss it.

Camping? Really?…read more I'm picturing bugs and accidentally peeing on electric fences and eating burnt yet uncooked sausages and Irish weather; I am picturing Carry-On Camping without the fun bits. My wife is picturing a ladybird book about scouts and roasted marshmallows and songs around the camp fire. The truth will probably be somewhere in between (peeing on roasted marshmallows and eating burnt un-cooked scouts). Having decided to do this I am left with the logistics or organising a camping trip, first and foremost is of course, the TV. Oh, and a tent. Off I go then to O'Meara Camping and put myself into the incredibly capable hands of the staff there who recommend a suitable tent (4 man for 60Euro) and a couple of other bits. They can see I am a novice and really look after me, they are brilliant. The shop is huge and includes a display room where all the bigger tents are set up for you to view. The shop is at the back of a small industrial estate, the website says to tell your GPS to go to 159 Crumlin Road but neglects to tell you what to do once you get there. The answer is to look across the road to the school, look to the left of the school (as you face it) and there you will see a small entrance to the industrial estate... an in you go. I can't see O'Meara Camping becoming a regular destination, but only because it doesn't sell burgers and fried food, for those times when I do need camping and out door stuff, it will be my first port of call from now on.

This place does a roaring trade in rugby gear for three reasons: Firstly it's the official Leinster…read moreRugby kit place thing-a-ma-bob; secondly, it's at the epicentre of a large number of big rugby schools, not least of all the rugby academy they pretend is a school, Blackrock College; and thirdly this is where lots of south side mom's* go shopping. I bought an Irish rugby jersey here for our disappointing last World Cup. I had to buy it in kids, age 10. How embarrassing is that?! Now, I'm twenty-three, five foot nine (and a half, mind you,) and I weight nearly seventy kilos. I demand that Canterbury present to me a ten year old that size. Now. See, they can't! Still, it's a good gag, I've gotta give it to them there. They really had me on that one. I suppose it's in the ethos of the sport too, so fair play, fair play. The staff here are friendly, it's Irish owned and they know there stuff in particular when it comes to rugby stuff. Four stars. *and Dad's but it doesn't sound as good that way :)

Not one of the best sports shops around. It also happens to be the main official Leinster rugby…read morestore, but that's so inconsequential, I'm going to leave that aside and concentrate on the non-Leinster-related-paraphernalia side of things. Not that there's much, it's a fairly small space. And they've taken up outside with Jansport bags (very nice for backpacks or what have you, but in space this small, you'd think they'd want to minimise superfluity, not expand it...) They've got the basics I admit, gumshields, rugby shirts, shin pads and the like. Not the best range of footwear, which, unless you do something like martial arts or swimming is kind of a big deal) and their swimwear isn't the broadest choice either, which is odd considering that one of the biggest clubs in Ireland is based around 10 minutes away so you'd think that could be a bit of a draw. My advice? Go to Lifestyle in Dún Laoghaire.

Thank goodness for Millets!…read more At the end of our respective ropes in a desperate search for winter boots, my shopping party had an inspired idea to look here for decent waterproof footwear to tackle the snow. Not only was the store mid-sale, but the footwear department upstairs carried stock in size 8! Victory! We agreed a pair of marked down fur-lined snow boots (was €80, now €45) that have the look of life-long reliables. I was fairly impressed with the rest of the shop's offerings -ski suits, down jackets, climbing gear and more. What I wasn't delighted with were the prices on a few of those; a woolly hat whose matching scarf was marked down from €20 to 10 was still itself a massive €20. Strike one, Millets.., but you're still in the game.

This is the perefect time to go to this shop, the weather is freezing and the snow is ankle deep…read more Wellies might look nice in this weather but they are not the best when slippy ice is hiding beneath the snow ready to make a fool of you when you fall in front of oads of people. Hiking boots are the way forward! Millets do a great stock of hiking boots! and to go with those boots you can get a really wam yet fashionable jacket, one that is vital for going out in this weather. If youreally really brave or just pure mad you could get all sorts of camping gear here to have a real snow advneture. seriously though i would say if you really wanted to camping in the dublin mountains in this weather these guys could kit you out and give you things that woudl make you as comfortable as you would be at home in front of a fire.

They seem to have a constant sale going on here! You can do well if you happen to fit the goods on…read moresale. Today I happened to fit the size 9 assics that were on sale, 60 euro... not bad at all!