Saba entices you to visit Dublin’s Creative Quarter

Saba Clarendon is in the Creative Quarter of Dublin – an area bursting with character and independent businesses. Today we want to inspire independent travelers (and fellow Dublin residents) to get off the main tourist trail. Take 30 steps back from Grafton Street and you’ll discover a world of artists, fashion designers, perfumers, bicycle repairers, chefs and plaid clad baristas. And you’re still within a stone’s throw away from leafy parks, theatres and museums.

The Creative Quarter is a tight knit community of independent businesses. It spans South William Street to George’s Street and from Lower Stephen’s Street to Exchequer Street. It’s the perfect alternative to the surging crowds on Grafton Street. Our advice to you is to meander slowly and look in all directions! Those multi-story red-bricks are packed with surprises for those who seek them out.

Paul Cadden, owner of Saba Dublin loves that they are in the creative Quarter – “There is a great vibe between all the businesses. It’s like a village, we chat each day and there’s always a bit of banter. Most importantly everyone is busy and there is a really interesting selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and  pubs to suit every taste. So whether you are in town browsing or visiting Dublin, you will have a very memorable experience to take home.”

Let’s introduce you to a handful of our great Saba neighbours – I feel a follow-up post coming on already!

Murphy Sheehy – dress and home furnishing fabrics

Murphy Sheehy is a family business which has been in Castlemarket for over 50 years. “Over the last few decades we have served the creatives of Dublin with fabric for fashion design, theatre, film, home furnishing and home sewing. Our cloth is a selection of tweed, cotton, denim, jersey and Irish linen. We are one of the last reminders of what the area of Castlemarket used to be, the heart of the rag trade industry in Dublin. In the last few years we have extended our services to making curtains and re-upholstering furniture, providing our customers with a one stop shop.” Find out more.

Irish Design Shop

Friends Claire and Laura, set up The Design Shop in 2008. “We saw an opportunity to sell and promote new, design led Irish craft which was unavailable in other shops within Dublin. Initially, we stocked the work of ten makers, and now we have the work of over fifty in our premises on Drury Street. Our focus is on beautifully made products using traditional techniques such as weave, woodturning and metalwork to name a few. We’re proud to be part of a neighbourhood with a sense of community, which offers visitors a unique Dublin experience.” Find out more.

Pierce Healy; engraver and jeweller

“My studio is located above the irish design shop. I am a hand engraver and jewellery designer maker. I make and design ‘different jewellery for different beasts’ – alternative jewellery for people that want truly different handmade jewellery. I work on commissions and sell my work directly from my studio and from gallery’s in San Francisco and Stockholm. The Irish Design Shop have a small selection of my work as does my online shop.” Find out more.

Dirty Fabulous

Sisters, Kathy and Caroline worship at the altar of vintage fashion which led them to open Dirty Fabulous; a vintage bridal and occasion wear boutique. They specialise in beautiful original vintage clothing and accessories from the 1920’s to 70’s and are on hand to help style and advise each customer during their private appointment. They love this part of town – “There is a lot of genuine goodwill between boutiques, where everyone recommends one another to our fabulous customers. There’s really nowhere else Dirty Fabulous would rather be!” Find out more.

Kaph – cafe

Every explorer needs regular refreshment stops! Kaph is a funky cafe, which offers single estate blends, which owner Chris says are served up with electronica / new-folk music. He describes this part of town as being like a Dublin Soho –  both authentic and edgy. Kaph even provide a street bench outside for people gazing. You’ll also find paleo-friendly sweet treats and soya and coconut milk lattes. Find out more.

Parfumarija –

Marija, a classically trained perfumer opened her shop Parfumarija to bring rare scents to Dublin! She sources perfumes which are inspired by different concepts and stories. Marija also creates bespoke fragrances for private commissions. She sees her shop as a destination – a place for customers to chat, immerse themselves in fragrance and listen to the stories behind them. She especially loves the symbiosis between the specialty shops in the Creative Quarter.  Find out more.

Saba is also within walking distance of these great amenities:

• The Westbury Hotel – 2 minutes
• Powerscourt Townhouse Centre – 2 minutes
• Georges Street Arcade – 2 minutes
• St Stephen’s Green – 3 minute walk
• Trinity College – 6 minute walk
• The Gaiety Theatre – 2 minute walk
• The Abbey Theatre – 14 minute walk
• The National Museum of Ireland – 12 minute walk
• The National Concert Hall – 14 minute walk
• Christchurch Cathedral – 11 minute walk

Adventurous explorers need lots of refreshment stops – We’d love to see you for lunch or dinner! Check out our new €13.95 lunch menu or promise yourself one of Karim’s fabulous cocktails! You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter in advance of your trip – we share our latest news there.