The Antique Loft: Barrack Street, Clarecastle, Co Clare, tel. 065-41969. Still a relative newcomer, the Antique Loft carries mostly pine and mahogany but stocks "everything from a spoon to a dresser." Open Sunday afternoons.

Delaney Antiques Cork Road, Newport, Co Tipperary, tel. 061-378180. In business since the start of this decade, the shop carries pub memorabilia, together with some Irish country furniture and architectural salvage.

Tony Honan 14 Abbey Street, Ennis, Co Clare, tel. 065-281-37. A member of the same family which owns Honan's Antiques in Gort, Co Galway, Tony Honan has been in Ennis for 25 years. He is particularly well known for dealing in clocks but also carries some furniture, Belleek china, Staffordshire figures and oil lamps.

Mike McGlynn Bunratty, Co Clare, tel. 061-364298/357278. After some time out of the business, Mr McGlynn returned last October to deal in fine quality 18th and 19th century furniture, paintings and works of art "at reasonable and realistic prices.

Carol O'Connor Main Street, Adare, Co Limerick, tel. 061-396977. After running Fortlands Antiques in Charleville, Co Cork, with her mother for the past 15 years, Ms O'Connor opened this outlet in Adare 18 months ago. She specialises in Regency furniture but carries a wide range of items from the late 18th to the late 19th century. Open on Sunday afternoons.

Simon Quilligan Main Street, Adare, tel. 061-396515. A legendary figure in the business, Mr Quilligan has been on the same site for the past 23 years but only opens to the public each Saturday. His cavernous premises holds a myriad of treasures, 90 per cent of which sells to members of the trade or overseas clients.

George Stacpoole Main Street, Adare, tel. 061-396409. One of the country's best known dealers and in business for more than 30 years, Mr Stacpoole carries lots of fine prints and watercolours, together with decorative items (especially lacquer work) and porcelain. "I'm always known for the unusual," he says.