It's one of our coolest cities Kilkenny, with no shortage of great shops. Head straight for Folkster (056-7703312, folkster.com) which is housed in what was once the Hibernian Bank. It sells vintage and contemporary clothing with retro styling. It is gorgeous and girly – and even if that isn't your thing, cross the threshold to behold racks of colour-coordinated formal wear lining the front room as well as on-trend outerwear; a long, light baseball shaped duster coat, €75, a sleeveless jacket with black leather pockets in chartreuse yellow, €165, and sequined jackets as far as the eye can see. Amy Huberman has bought several of the latter. The changing rooms are unique - they're in the old bank vaults past a set of foot deep metal doors.
Rudolph Heltzel (056-772 1497, heltzel.ie), a jewel-box-sized shop just up the street, is a place where you are positively encouraged to try everything on, something missing from many high-end jewellers who prefer a look but don't touch policy. The business has been taken over by Rudolph's son Christopher, who says his main business is with romantic men who come from the four corners of Ireland to discuss having something unique made for their loved one.
Kilkenny Design Centre (056-7722118, kilkennydesign.com) and the nearby National Craft Gallery (056-7796147, nationalcraftgallery.ie) in Castle Yard incubate many designers that go on to become household names.
Opposite the Court House is a paeon to pure living. The Little Green Grocer (056-7702007) at 6 Parliament Street is run by sisters Sarah and Eleanor Duggan, the latter a nutritional therapist who views food as fresh and flavoursome fuel for the body. The coarse Himalayan pink salt caught Shoptalk's eye. Bathing in this, €4.25 per 750gm tub, is actually the best way to soak up its 80-plus minerals and elements. Thrillingly, it's also said to boost libido.
Tonnie Moore says his shop, Hurley Depot (086-8965401), 80 John Street, is unique. He sells smashing GAA jersey and sliotar-shaped medal boards, from €20, and hurleys made by local craftsmen, the same people who make hurls for the Kilkenny team. Sole Comfort (056-7771565), 15 Irishtown, is the kind of establishment that would bring retail consultant and TV presenter Mary Portas, the Queen of Shops, out in hives.
Chaotically merchandised, the old fashioned premises targets the older customer, a demographic often neglected by commerce. It supplies comfortable shoes that fit properly, no matter your underlying foot condition. A woman's shoe, from €95, comes in several colours, eight sizes and three width options. Men's shoes start from €155. Painted racing green, The Gift Horse (056-7786527, thegifthorse.ie) champions tradition with a twist, selling all manner of animal motif items, from lamps to woodland wildlife egg cups, €12.50 each, guaranteed to outlast your average chocolate Easter egg. Alanna Gallagher
