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The Design Platform in Clifden - one of Europe's westernmost high-fashion outlets - specialises in judiciously selected clothes for women, with wide appeal and a cool, chic bohemian air

'THE DUBLINERS come in August and start their winter buying, and the Dublin boutiques are waiting for them, but they come back from the west well started," says Treena Sweeney with a smile. She is the owner, with her husband, John, of the Station House development in Clifden. She is referring to Design Platform, their boutique beside the former railway station. The shop - the Co Galway town's first fashion store - celebrates its 10th birthday this year. "Before it opened it was off to Galway for fashion. Now Galway comes to us," she says. "We get holidaymakers with time on their hands and money."