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SHOPS
For a small place Schull Main Street is a quite remarkable retail experience. The shops retain traditional Irish wooden frontages and each has its individual appearance, a far cry from the corporate and homogenous high streets elsewhere.
No bank and no petrol pumps, but ATMs keep the cash afloat and good neighbours in Ballydehob, Goleen and the Drinagh Co-op at Lowertown save the day for drivers.
The real gems are the small retailers, stylish clothes at Pebbles, Fuchsia and Michael Barnett’s Drapery, jewellery and beautifully crafted gifts from Enibas, The Courtyard and The Heron gallery. Exotic things can be found. In East Meets West, housewares, clothes and jewellery from the Indian sub continent and artisanal chocolates from a French chocolatier, Gwen, at the Courtyard, who also makes wonderful ice cream. How many modern high streets can claim a fresh fish shop and a local butchery? Several beauty salons, two hairdressers, a florist, two small supermarkets, one with an in store bakery, a health food shop and a comfortable and welcoming bookshop. Local produce is available, meat, cheese, fish and vegetables, a Sunday Farmers’ Market and a daily small market-cum-garden centre. Three charity shops are a wonderful rainy day opportunity for a rummage amongst the bric a brac, books and bargain basement clothes.
Plenty of places to eat and drink, from fish and chips to fine dining, French, Spanish and Chinese, a creperie, tapas and a wine bar. There is something for everyone. Local pubs are always open for a bit of craic, and the place to go and watch a match or chew the fat, enjoy a long slow pint or a cup of coffee. Whatever your fancy might turn to it will be somewhere here in Schull.
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