Get ready for something interactive and fun for the whole family!
The Dun Laoghaire Business Association (DLBA) has organized a fantastic Christmas Festival initiative: decorating shop windows with festive white doodles throughout the main shopping areas. This year for families and children they’ve introduced a competition in collaboration with Ireland’s largest ice skating rink located in our harbour area, to find hidden ice skates within these doodle-adorned windows.
To be considered for weekly prize draws all you need to do is to find 3 skates in the windows of participating businesses and submit the names of those businesses at https://www.dunlaoghairetown.ie/christmas/
At the heart of this project is a committee member of the DLBA Chad Gilmer, who also runs iPlanit, a web development company that moved to Dun Laoghaire in 2016. Additionally, involved with the Glasshouses, a co-working space, Chad is motivated by a desire to uplift the Dun Laoghaire business scene and provide an enjoyable experience for both members and the public.
The Christmas Window Doodle initiative spans across all main shopping areas in Dun Laoghaire from the Main Street to Sandycove. The DLBA has subsidised more than half the costs for retailers to have these doodles painted, underlining their commitment to promoting local business engagement.
The campaign coincides with the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival and this delightful festive activity aims to bring joy to the community and connect residents in a fun and interactive way, all while supporting our local businesses.
Chad has high hopes that this endeavor will foster an enhanced sense of support and festivity among Dun Laoghaire’s residents, businesses and visitors alike.
What do you need to participate in the competition?
Browsing and admiring our wonderful Christmas Doodles and participating in the competition is completely free of charge and open to the whole community in Dun Laoghaire and visitors of our town.
All you need to do is to find 3 skates in the windows of participating businesses and submit the names of those businesses in the form on this page to enter the competition: https://www.dunlaoghairetown.ie/christmas/
The best of luck to those competing!
Chad Gilmer, DLBA
Just Some Of The Businesses Participating In The Window Doodle Competition
Burnett’s Pharmacy
Window Doodle Competition
Burnett’s Pharmacy is the oldest pharmacy in Dun Laoghaire, they were established in 1904 and it is one of the oldest pharmacies in Dublin as well. Here’s they think about the Window Doodle Competition:
I think it’s a great idea. Anything that engages customers or brings people to our business, our pharmacy, is a very positive thing. And I think it’s a bit of fun as well. Which is a great idea for Christmas. ~ Genevieve Frayne M.P.S.I, Pharmacist at Burnett’s Pharmacy
Christmas Gift Ideas From Burnett’s Pharmacy
Burnett’s Pharmacy offers a great range of Irish brands, including Green Angel, Sea Vice, and the Handmade Soap Company. It’s lovely to support Irish businesses, which people are more and more conscious of nowadays. Burnett’s Pharmacy also makes their own hampers for customers. Many people like to pick their own products to go into the hamper, but the staff is happy to make them up as well.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Burnett’s Pharmacy
Burnett’s Pharmacy offers their products and services in their store on the 42 George’s Street Lower where very well trained assistants who can help people to purchase the right products for the right person. They are also available via phone calls at (01) 280 1124 and their website at burnettspharmacy.ie.
Genevieve Frayne M.P.S.I, Pharmacist at Burnett’s Pharmacy
Costello’s Hardware
Window Doodle Competition
Costello’s Hardware is an institution in Dun Laoghaire. They have operated in our town for more than 40 years, since 1980. Their business is not just about selling, it’s also about being a part of the community. Here’s they think about the Window Doodle Competition:
It makes the window definitely more Christmassy and more attractive. It encourages the younger customers and children in a “treasure hunt” kind of way, where they go from shop front to shop front looking for a symbol, so it’s a good idea. ~ Stephen Costello, Co-Owner at Costello’s Hardware
Christmas Gift Ideas From Costello’s Hardware
Costello’s Hardware sells a large variety of stuff for the Christmas period. This time of year the Christmas lights are very popular, but also various tools could be a great gift idea. Their shop also offers paint mixing as a service.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Costello’s Hardware
Costello’s Hardware offers their products and services in their store on the 9 Patrick St. They are also available via phone calls at (01) 280 0874
Stephen Costello, Owner at Costello’s Hardware
Horans Healthstore
Window Doodle Competition
Horans Healthstore is an Irish company, originally from Tralee Co. Kerry, with 16 shops all over Ireland. Dun Laoghaire shop is the 15th opened shop and the first one outside of the Munster region. Their main focus is to make their customers happy and healthy. Here’s they think about the Window Doodle Competition:
The competition has been fabulous for Dun Laoghaire. The windows look amazing. It’s really attracted a lot of attention and people coming into the shop and asking about it and we’ve had customers in the door that have been walking past the shop in the past and just not taken any notice of it but with the windows looking amazing people have come in just out of curiosity. I would definitely love to see it continue, to be honest. I think it’s just lovely for a spirit in Dun Laoghaire itself, to see lots and lots of businesses taking part in that. It just gives this feeling of connection. ~ Margaret Carey, Manager at Horans Healthstore Dun Laoghaire
Christmas Gift Ideas From Horans Healthstore
Horans Healthstore are focused on providing value for money. They have a great variety of gifts for under €20. They have also focused on Irish made products. They’ve got some fabulous food items that are locally produced and then they also have fantastic candles – the Herb Dublin range is particularly popular.
Horans Healthstore offers gift wrapping service as well and a lot of gifts already wrapped and ready on the shelf for a quick pick up when you are out of time or options to purchase a Christmas present.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Horans Healthstore
Horans Healthstore shop is located on the 4 George’s Street Lower. They are also available via phone calls at 085 859 1761 and you can purchase their products on their website at horanshealth.ie.
Margaret Carey, Manager at Horans Healthstore Dun Laoghaire
Facet Jewellers
Window Doodle Competition
Facet Jewellers is a long-standing, local business with nearly 50-years long tradition which Patrick Shannon set up with his brothers. Patrick and his brothers are locals as well. They grew up in Sandycove. Here’s they think about the Window Doodle Competition:
Our shop is a focal point of the town. A lot of people have commented on how nice it is. We put lights up on the outside of the building. And we lit up the two trees outside the shop also. And this (Window Doodle) was just another additive to all of the Christmas feeling and the look of the shop, which made it very attractive.. It was a finishing touch, which was very nice. ~ Patrick Shannon, Owner at Facet Jewellers
Christmas Gift Ideas From Facet Jewellers
Facet Jewellers have products for all pockets. Wedding rings are particularly popular this time of the year. However there are more than 1500 products on the website if you choose not to come to the store for any reason.
But if you do decide to come to Dun Laoghaire, Patrick emphasized how easy it is to do so. Public transport is excellent, cycling is also a good option, and if driving, there is plenty of parking in the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre and the shop is just a short walk across the road.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Facet Jewellers
Facet Jewellers shop is located on the 1 George’s Street Upper. They are also available via phone calls at (01) 280 4106 and you can purchase their products on their website at facetjewellers.ie.
Zak, Manager at Facet Jewellers
Tierney’s Gift Shop
Window Doodle Competition
Tierney’s Gift Shop is family owned business established in 1951. Here’s they think about the Window Doodle Competition:
We are always happy to support any initiative by the Dun Laoghaire business community. The window graphics are very colourful and add a lovely festive feel to the town. ~ Michael Tierney, Owner at Tierney’s Gift Shop
Christmas Gift Ideas From Tierney’s Gift Shop
The year Tierney’s Gift Shop has probably their best range of Christmas gifts ever, with prices ranging from €10 to €100. Beautiful candles, tree decorations, sets glasses, candleholders, coffee mugs, cutlery sets, prints, clocks, pens and wallets. Fantastic range of ladies and men’s jewellery and watches.
Tierneys Gift Vouchers are also a very good gift, with values from €20 to €200.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Tierney’s Gift Shop
Tierney’s Gift Shop is located on the 72 George’s Street Lower. They are also available via phone calls at (01) 280 6361 and you can purchase their products on their website at tierneysgifts.com.
Michael Tierney, Owner at Tierney’s Gift Shop
Florence Lingerie
Window Doodle Competition
Florence Lingerie is a successful, long-standing Dun Laoghaire business with a 40-years long tradition. Ruth Adams has been with the business for over 20 years. Here’s she thinks about the Window Doodle Competition:
I think it’s a lovely incentive for the town just coming together with the window competition. I hope it’s going to do well for everybody. It’s just a nice theme throughout the town. ~ Ruth Adams, Owner at Florence Lingerie
Christmas Gift Ideas From Florence Lingerie
Florence Lingerie are nightwear specialists so some of the favourites include Christmas pajamas, gowns, lingerie that come in wide variety and selection of brands. The shop caters for ladies of all ages, with lovely lingerie sets and negligees.
Gift vouchers are also available on the website.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Florence Lingerie
Florence Lingerie shop is located on the 97 Patrick St. They are also available via phone calls at 086 176 5720 and you can buy a gift card or book a fitting at their website at florence-lingerie.ie.
Ruth Adams, Owner at Florence Lingerie
Irish Design Gallery
Window Doodle Competition
Sinead is a member of the DLBA Committee and the current chair person of the Dun Laoghaire Town Team. The Irish Design Gallery has been located in the town for many years now. Here’s she thinks about the Window Doodle Competition:
It’s a great initiative that helps DLBA members work collaboratively to attract more shoppers in. ~ Sinead Buckley Quinn, Gallery Proprietor
Christmas Gift Ideas From Irish Design Gallery
The Irish Design Gallery have a wide range of unique local and handmade gifts starting from a €6 bar of soap to €3000 paintings and everything in between. This includes nice luxury chocolate, biscuits, tea towels convenient for sending as a gift oversees.. Most artists and designers featured in the Gallery come from within a 50 mile radius of Dun Laoghaire Town.
How to Purchase Christmas Gifts From Irish Design Gallery
Irish Design Gallery is located in the Moran Park House, Queen’s Rd. They are also available via phone calls at 087 270 7496 and you can buy their products on the website at irishdesigngallery.ie.
Sinead Buckley Quinn, Gallery Proprietor
To see everything that’s happening at the Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival click here.
Thank you for supporting our Dun Laoghaire business community!
