Flee market in Ireland?

Cestmoi · Newbie

Flee market in Ireland?

Mark D · Senior Member

I'm not sure about the thrift shops, but I know "Trunk Sales" are popular. The locals gather and sell items from the trunks of their cars !

Cheers!
Mark D.

yesiree · Guru

I've been to some great "boot sales" (the Irish call their car trunks "boots) in Kilkenny and Fethard (near Cashel). Both are held on Sundays and run from morning to mid afternoon. They are a mix of trash and treasures...and you'll want to be ready to bargain.

I usually try to look as non-touristy as possible. Then when I see something I'm interested in, I hold it up and giving the vendor a "how much?" look and bargain from there...I like to believe that by not revealing my American accent right away, I might get a better price.

Inquire at a tourist office if there are any "boot sales" in the area and they'll know what you're looking for, and will recommend a sale or shop that will fit the bill.

Diana · Veteran Member

Hi,

In October I went to several thrift shops, charity shops and farmers markets. I found treasures: great t shirts for the boys in my life and children's books plus a couple of wonderful toys not available in the U.S.

I forced my interest over to small things because I didn't want to be burdened down with large items or have to dea with shipping. But I did see items that would have drawn my attention if I had been willing to go the extra mile.

Of course, for me too, the conversations possible in such settings are wonderful.

Good luck and have fun in Ireland!

Diana

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cestmoi,

Welcome to the forum. As the others have mentioned there are boot sales and charity shops all over Ireland. I have never really seen second hand furniture anywhere except for antique shops. But it is certainly worthwhile to ask around and inquire at the tourist office. You never know what you will find. Happy hunting!

Michele

Cestmoi · Newbie

ok, thanks a lot to you all. In America/Canada where I was, people make "yard sale" also called "garage sale", just in front of the house, on sunny Sundays.

And there are as well huge - at the scale of the US "consumer society" - thrift/used/second hand stuff sales business, for clothes, furniture, computing, everything, making, I've been said, a lot of $... getting free stock based on donations, having the status of charity if they give 5% of income to cancer research or anything. Smart! But I won't criticize, from there ( and from real charity like salvation army) I furnitured nicely a whole home for perhaps a quarter of the value in regular shops.

I'll remember the Irish "boot or trunk sales" (and try, Yesiree, to hide my french accent to better bargain, but it's a lost challenge). And for furniture, the best is buy&sell I presume.

Cheers! :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cestmoi,

Ireland is very different from the US and Canada when it comes to garage and yard sales. I have never seen one in Ireland. My Irish friends (who love American garage sales) have never seen one either. It is not a custom in Ireland as it is elsewhere. Maybe it has to do with the smaller population or the Irish character. You might check the classified ads in the newspapers in case people might be selling furniture.

Michele