Shop till you drop with Aer Arann

With only 52 days until Christmas it is time to get in to gear for Christmas shopping and Aer Arann, one of Europe’s fastest growing regional airlines is here to help. No need to fight your way down Oxford Street this year, there are bargains to be had when shopping abroad.

With the Pound soaring against major currencies such as the Euro what better time to hop over to Ireland’s finest shopping cities and get your Christmas shopping done and since you’re saving the pounds why not treat yourself.*

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a shopper’s haven with all the quality and variety you find in London but without all the crowds. There are two main pedestrianised shopping streets in Dublin; Grafton Street and Henry Street. Grafton Street is a smart district with fashionable stores including the exclusive jewellers, Weirs. Don’t miss Arnott’s, a large department store similar to John Lewis or for something more exclusive try Brown Thomas- Ireland’s glamorous answer to Selfridges.

If it is a distinctive Irish shopping experience you want then head to Galway or Cork. Galway, the regional capital of the West offers large numbers of specialist stores with local goods. Small fashion boutiques and book stores nestle on every corner and you can taste the local foods in the tempting delicatessens. Cork boasts recently updated plazas, landscaping and street furniture and is a picturesque destination for both shopping and leisure with modern fashion boutiques, antiques and smart cafés.

Save the pounds in your favourite shops as Debenhams, Top Shop, H&M and River Island can all be found in these cities. For Irish equivalents to UK favourites try Easons Bookstores for a change from WHSmith or Penney’s for the Irish Primark. Flights to Dublin, Galway and Cork with Aer all start from just £28 one way including taxes.

*Exchange rate 1.43 against the Euro-correct at time of publication.