Yes, this store is on the pricier than others. But this is also the only store in Galway and the…read moreAran Islands (and probably all of Ireland!) that sells sweaters that are *hand-knit in Ireland with **wool from Ireland**. If you want an inexpensive, mass produced, machine knitted sweater with non-Irish wool, then don't come here. But come to O'Maille's if you want an authentic, 100% Irish work of art. After advice from an Airbnb host to look for sweaters made of wool from Ireland, I went from store to store, and all the other stores carried only Irish hand-knit sweaters that are made of Merino wool shipped in from Australia or New Zealand, even on Aran Island. I wanted a *real* Irish fisherman's sweater with wool from Ireland! Online research and Yelp steered me to O'Maille. Anne O'Maille herself was in the store and is the one who hires dozens of Irish women to knit sweaters and other items from Irish wool. She herself is a knitter. A few years ago, Anne and the store were featured on Oprah. 20 women in the world were chosen because of their handcrafted work, and Anne was one of them. The young saleswoman (I believe her name is Tanya) was so sweet and spent a lot of time with me, helping me to choose the perfect sweater, and explaining the knitting process. Each hand-knit sweater is unique and each has the name of the knitter on the tag. Each is a piece of art. When you feel and lift the sweaters, you can tell the difference between these and the other hand knit sweaters in other stores - denser, tighter weave, and heavier. It was interesting because Tanya and Anne told me a little about the knitter's history with that pattern. I was leaving with one sweater, but another hanging caught my eye. It was a unique sweater that was made as a sampler of different patterns, knitted by a daughter of one of her best knitters. That daughter knitted too, but stopped for awhile. She just started again and knitted the sampler sweater, something really different and one of a kind. Soooo I bought two sweaters! When you consider what you are getting, $35 extra dollars between the best hand-knit (but one of a mass-produced pattern) sweater at the main competition store, and the top of the line one-of-kind work of art at O'Maille, O'Maille is a bargain!

When looking in the city for some crochet materials, I stumbled across this little shop. Here, in…read moreaddition to the knit clothing that they're more known for, I found some fairly inexpensive 100% wool yarn (€5 for 50g, €10 for 100g skeins). I gladly bought two 50g skeins of two of the beautiful color options and a wooden crochet hook. When I run out of yarn while still in Galway I know where to go back to!

super cute store filled with new + vintage clothing. prices were affordable and the collection was…read morediverse. happy to have discovered them on yelp before heading oversees. LOVE my new technicolor sweater. also, the owners mother was super sweet.

Gayle and I wandered into the Galway Woolen Market after Dinner at Martine's. I was looking for an…read moreIrish cap and maybe a pair of gloves. The latter turned out to be a dead end as most gloves sold in Ireland are one size and I have big hands. But they did stock an XL Irish cap that fit my big Size 8 head and in a color and style that Gayle was quite pleased. I ended up wearing it throughout the trip and now back home. The brand was Hatman of Ireland, a family run business in Galway. It's made of Donegal Tweed and it looks fabulous!

The display in the windows of this shop is always beautiful so I was very tempted to call in and…read morelook around. It's a very small boutique but you don't feel pressured in there, which I appreciate. The place is also very nicely laid out and you can actually move the items on the rack and look at each one. It's organised into colours which is good if you're looking for a debs or bridesmaid dress in a particular colour. There are some really beautiful, dramatic, sequined dresses but there are also some nice muted evening dresses for events. I didn't find anything on this occasion but there were loads of nice options so if you have a wedding or races etc. to attend, definitely pop in here for a look.

If you live in the Galway area and are looking for that exclusive outfit, super dressy or super…read morecasual, look no further than the best exclusive boutique in the West - Design House Barna - at least in my humble opinion! I came across Design House Barna a few years ago while on a weekend visit to Galway and have made it my business to go there whenever I visit that lovely area. But imagine my delight when I discovered last week that Design House Barna has opened a second glorious shop in Oranmore! This is just a brilliant location as it means I can now drop into Oranmore on my way down to Galway city instead of having to drive further out west to Barna. I was in Galway last Thursday and discovered to my absolute delight that the Oranmore shop was actually having an official opening that very day and even better every customer got 20% off as well as a fabulous free gift, plus champagne, chocolates, manicures and all sorts of goodies! The clothes stocked in this amazing shop are luxurious and fabulous - I'm talking the very best of cashmere, fine wools etc - but at very affordable prices - and lots of Irish designers. You will rarely find such an exclusive collection in any other boutique and you will certainly get that one-off item here that you will not find anywhere else. In fact, you can get dressed head to toe here, as they have lovely winter boots and scarves at the moment, not to mention the selection of warm coats and jackets. But what constantly impresses me most of all, and the reason for my 5 star rating, is the fantastic personal attention to each and every customer without pushing you into buying an item. The staff are the friendliest and most helpful I have ever come across. The owner, Regina, seems to give extra special attention to her customers., and from my experience, gives regular discounts to repeat customers - what a wonderful reward for loyalty in these times of 'tight pursed' shoppers - no wonder they have opened a second store - it's not just the wonderful and amazing clothes that makes Design House Barna extra special!

As ever, Top Shop generally meets - and often instigates - the demands of a greedily consumerist…read morehigh street. Everything you see in here is exactly what everyone is wearing, mostly because they all got it from Top Shop - this makes it equally valuable as a bank of idea that you can take to Dunnes or Penny's and improve upon with some originality for half the price. Beware of Galway stores, stock is old and most of this stuff was being worn out in Dublin about two months ago.

Love this store, I was only introduced to it late last year but every pair of shoes/boots or…read morehandbags I bought were here!! It caters for all age groups, I always have something in mind to buy for myself or someone else! The owner is very friendly and helpful, 5stars are well deserved!

Great service. Very high quality and great designer ranges. Lucy the owner so friendly and…read morehelpful. Really goes out of her way to give you what your searching for and what looks great on you. Definately a pampering and relaxing experience. Shoe Heaven in the Latin Quarter :)