Then there's the Royal Hibernian Way, possibly Dublin's most tranquil and civilised mall. Long known as a bastion of all the finer things in life, from cashmere sweaters in Monaghans to pretty bouquets at Amazing Blooms and the best of stationery at Swalk, the reopening of one of its wings has given us cause for reinvestigation. The Imelda Marcus within gravitates towards Cocobelle, which manages to walk the right line between fashionable and wearable, with animal print pumps and shoes and boots commanding equal space in the window display. Nijou, on the corner, and opening out onto Duke Street, carries an eclectic array of women's clothes, while Peaches and Cream is your only possible choice for a fetching bridal lingerie set.

Then retire to either a drink in Eddie Irvine's bar, Cocoon, or if the shopping has left you weak, to Leonidas for a sugar hit in the form of some Belgian pralines.