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Best Shops in Ireland 2016

Best Shops 2016 is back. We’re looking for shops that stand-out, that tantalise us with their merchandise, go the extra mile in terms of service and generally make us feel that they appreciate our money. We want you, the reader, to help us discover these hidden gems.

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Tom Keane and Claire Graham, owners of The Old Mill Stores in Connonagh Village, Co Cork – winners of the Best Craft/Gift Shop category. Photograph: Emma Jervis

Best shops 2016: The Winners

This year’s judges had a tough job sifting through more than 30,000 entries. Readers were eager to show their appreciation for the independent shops making a difference up and down the country. Today we reveal the 10 winning shops

Best shops in Ireland 2016: the hunt is on

Best shops in Ireland 2016: the hunt is on

We want your help to find the nation’s favourite places to shop

Best Shops in Ireland 2016: the categories

Best Shops in Ireland 2016: the categories

We want to hear your personal stories about why a certain shop is special to you

The Winding Stair in Dublin and Vibes & Scribes in Cork are on 72 cent stamps while Clerke, a grocer in Skibbereen and Thomas Moran, a hardware and faming shop in Westport, Co Mayo feature on the €1.10 stamp.

Irish shops get a stamp of approval

The Best Shops judges are on the road, choosing winners from a shortlist of 100 shops; An Post launches a new series of stamps celebrating Irish shopfronts

Best Shops 2016: The top 100 are revealed

Best Shops 2016: The top 100 are revealed

Thousands of nominations have been considered and we’ve whittled the competition down to a shortlist of 100 and sent our judges out on the road to shop

Thank you for voting: Best Shops shortlist is on the way

Thank you for voting: Best Shops shortlist is on the way

We received 30,288 nominations in this year’s contest and now the judges will select the shops that will go forward to the shortlist

With hours to go, the feelgood factor is flowing

With hours to go, the feelgood factor is flowing

You have until midnight to nominate your favourite haunts for Best Shops 2016

Are you being served?

Are you being served?

Service is key to a good shopping experience, and is a big factor for the judges of Best Shops 2016

Best Shops 2016: your county needs your vote

Best Shops 2016: your county needs your vote

With more than 23,000 nominations so far, how has your county fared?

Irish Times Best Shops competition: Keeping it in the family

Irish Times Best Shops competition: Keeping it in the family

Best family-run shops competition draws a big response from readers

Discover some of Ireland’s remotest shops

Discover some of Ireland’s remotest shops

Best Shops: Take a detour to visit some hidden gems

What’s your favourite Irish salon? Cast your vote now

What’s your favourite Irish salon? Cast your vote now

Who does the best nails, gives the best waxes or tans you to perfection?

Clean eats or little treats? Where's the best food in Ireland?

Clean eats or little treats? Where's the best food in Ireland?

From “food hugs” to “wow” scones which shops serve Ireland’s most tastebud tickling temptations?

Is there a shop that helps you feel at home?

Is there a shop that helps you feel at home?

Best Shops: stores of all types that create a sense of community are a favourite with readers

Best Shops 2016: Sligo leading the nominations

Best Shops 2016: Sligo leading the nominations

Incisive, informed comments by readers is what the judges are looking for

Where is the best salon in Ireland?

Where is the best salon in Ireland?

Best Shops 2016: Nail bars, lash technicians, hairdressers, colourists, therapists, barbers ... and don’t forget the waxperts

Which café sells Ireland’s best coffee?

Which café sells Ireland’s best coffee?

Best Shops 2016: the search is on for the best place to get your caffeine fix

Best Shops: visual delights catch the eye

Best Shops: visual delights catch the eye

Visual merchandising has captured readers’ imagination in the Best Shops 2016

Best Shops: where do you get your weekly treat?

Best Shops: where do you get your weekly treat?

Best Shops 2016 has kicked off and nominations are pouring in. Have you voted for your favourite shop yet?

Best shops in Ireland 2016: This is pop-up

Best shops in Ireland 2016: This is pop-up

Is the pop-up shop a smart way to test the retail market? We talk to some success stories

Best Shops in Ireland 2016: the judges

Best Shops in Ireland 2016: the judges

Working from reader nominations, our judges are getting ready to visit a lot of shops

Best Shops in Ireland 2016: last year’s winners

Best Shops in Ireland 2016: last year’s winners

The winners from last year on what success has meant to them and their business

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