Christmastime . . . and the shopping is oh so easy

Like many other towns around Ireland, Tullamore has recently started to experience economic good times: walking around the main streets, the prosperity is palpable. A newly-opened 72-bedroom hotel, the Tullamore Court, which contains a conference and leisure centre, represents the town's current boom, while the wealth of handsome houses with stone-cut doorways is evidence that Tullamore has also flourished in the past.

The Kilcrutin Business Park, located at the back of the old jail, is a brisk five-minute walk from the town centre, but well worth investigating. One of the outlets open to the public is Anvil Crafts, in business for the past two years manufacturing wrought-iron furniture. Prices start at around £12.50 for a wall-mounted candle holder, while bevelled mirrors (also with candle holders) average £150. Similarly, Emerald Stained Glass welcomes commissions but has a limited range of items on the premises such as mirrors (£40-£150), terrariums (£60) and miniature grandfather clocks (£165). The third retail presence in the business park is candlemaker's Duffy & Scott. Here you will find lots of seasonally-scented candles - Spiced Berry and Woodland Walk are two favourites - for just 45 pence each.

Not too far away on Cormac Street milliner Rita Daly, whose hats sell throughout the country, has her studio. She can turn around a new hat in just a few days but always carries some wonderful items averaging £40, and also offers examples of local designer Noelle Foran's clothes. Tullamore's best-known clothes shop has to be Galvin's For Men, on William Street since 1951. Paul Galvin is constantly expanding and has the widest range of menswear in the midlands. Leading labels here include Hugo Boss (chenille polo-neck sweaters £139) and Gant (casual rugby shirts £55), together with YSL, Camel, Tricot Marine, Pringle, Lacoste and Dockers.

Next, check out Kit Your Kitchen in the new Bridge Centre. It has an almost daunting range of items, such as pottery by major names including Kiltrea Bridge, Louis Mulcahy, Irish Country, Ballydougan and Stoneware Jackson.

Then there is Avoca Blue glassware and delicious little food gifts, including boxes of Torc handmade fudge for £3.25. Cottage Crafts, tucked away in Esker Court off William Street, has been open for the past year and a half, and despite its diminutive interior has plenty of ideas for the presenthunter. Choose here from the likes of Michael Kennedy's pottery lamp bases (£70-£100), soaps made by The Irish Soap & Candle Company (£2.50 each) and framed batik pictures by the Gifted Hand of Nenagh (£29.95).

Another gift shop worth visiting is Phil O'Reilly of Harbour Street, which carries familiar Irish lines such as Royal Tara and Donegal Parian, Heritage Crystal, Newbridge Cutlery and Connemara Marble. Then there's the Celtic Tiger Exhibition Centre, which opened three months ago on William Street. Approximately 70 per cent of all goods stocked here are made in Co Offaly; members of the Tullamore Arts Group exhibit in the centre, which offers chocolates produced in the town, handpainted scarves, wooden bowls and individual Christmas cards. Finally, if you are looking for something for the sports enthusiast, call into the Lowe Alpine factory shop in Tullamore's Sragh Industrial Estate, where fleece jackets were recently selling for £77, thermal leggings for £10 and bright Mayan print shirts for a mere £8.

Parking: Plentiful in Market and O'Connor squares.

Lunchstop: The Courtyard Restaurant, next door to Cottage Crafts.

Hinterland Highlight: Familiar to anyone who has ever driven on the Dublin/Galway road and some eight miles away from Tullamore, Kilbeggan boasts Locke's Museum in the old whiskey distillery. This includes a small bar where some rare bottles are on sale. Locke's Special Presentation, for example, is a five-year-old whiskey of which only 5,000 bottles exist; it comes in a wooden box with accompanying scroll and costs £40. Alternatively, there's the Cooley Country Collection of six miniature bottles for £9.50. Just remember not to sample the purchases if you are driving.