Every town should have one

Up until about a year ago the word “town” would, in a Dublin context, have referred to the city centre. Not anymore. It looks like there’s a new “town” in, er, town – Dundrum.
So why should we ditch the centre of Dublin for this suburb? Well, first off there’s the Luas. You can’t argue with the high capacity, high frequency and high speed service provided by those little purple and grey wonders. Just eight stops from Stephen’s Green and you’re at the impressive Dundrum Luas bridge. Take one more stop and you will be on the doorstep of the town centre proper.
Dundrum Town Centre could not have been more appropriately named. It really is the new town centre, with the extra advantage of being bright, shiny, brand-spanking-new and, most importantly, all under one roof.
The cinema (Movies @ Dundrum) and theatre (The Mill) are the latest additions to this hive of activity. It’s a nifty little idea, really. After a very hard day’s shopping and filling of the belly with delicious food from cafes like Butler’s Chocolate and Brambles and restaurants such as Dunne & Crescenzi and Mao, there’s nothing more relaxing than watching a good play or movie in great theatres.
In fact, if it’s the ultimate in comfort you’re after, then look no further than The Mezz in Movies @ Dundrum. This is possibly the best cinema experience in Ireland, comprising of a sectioned-off seating area at the back of screen one. With extra large and ‘slouchable’ leather sofas, complimentary popcorn and drink, and tea, coffee and wine all on offer from the bar, there’s not much more you can ask of a luxurious cinema.
Described as “the beating heart of Dundrum Town Centre”, The Mill Theatre is a state-of-the-art arts centre that puts on the best plays, music, dance, comedy, kid’s shows and much more besides.
Events to look forward to include Babylon Heights, a play from Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, which will be staged from August 7 to 19. Considering the tag line reads “If you put four dwarfs in a hotel room with enough opium and alcohol, it’s bound to end in tears…” the play has to be original if nothing else.
You, of course, can’t be expected to make good style choices on an empty stomach. Shopping minus dinner equals bad decisions – it’s obvious! Thankfully Dundrum Town Centre averts this possible disaster with a huge range of restaurants, cafes and bars.
However, if you want to be stylish in stylish surroundings, look no further than Winter’s Bar and Restaurant [pictured], an impeccably designed venue with a contemporary edge and straight out of the '50s.
Located beside the cinema, Winter's main attraction is the front wall, which is entirely glazed and faces out onto the smoking area. Airy and spacious, the bar is perfectly laid-out for catch-up chats with your mates after work or at the weekends. The delicious food is attractively presented and affordably priced and the wines are superb. Winter's is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am, Saturday from 10am and Sunday from midday and is well worth the visit, if only to rest those shopping-weary feet.
As everyone is aware, Dundrum Town Centre is in a field of its own when it comes to shopping . With Zara, Massimo Dutti, Monsoon, BT2, H&M, Warehouse, Oasis, Bershka, Pennys and countless other clothes shops, as well as famed department stores like House Of Fraser and Marks and Spencer, if it’s clothes you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.
However, everyone knows that shoes are the quickest way to a woman’s heart, or at least a swift way to empty a woman’s wallet. Fitzpatrick’s of Grafton Street has been at the forefront of footwear retailing in Ireland since 1926, selling high quality products from Europe’s leading designers, and now it has opened an outlet in Dundrum Town Centre.
Stocking the highest level of designer footwear, including Gucci, Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Dior and Fendi (ladies, please stop drooling), the store is presided over by buyer Declan Fitzpatrick, who certainly knows his kittens from his stilettos (two types of heels, fellas). Located on level one, Fitzpatrick’s is everything a devoted shoe-lover could ask for. Oh yeah, they stock men’s shoes too.
And if it’s sportswear you’re after then Champion Sports is close at hand (rugby star Denis Hickie did a signing here only a few months ago). In fact, Champion Sports in Dundrum is the only Champion Sports to stock the full Canterbury range, the No.1 rugby brand from New Zealand. Apart from that, there’s plenty of Nike and Adidas, gear as well as all the equipment you might need for your chosen sport. “Damien Dempsey was in the other day,” says manager Tony Clarke. Do you really need more reasons to go to Champion Sports in Dundrum Town Centre?
Clothes may not always be a passion that both women and men can share, so if you’re looking for an evening of shopping that is mutually satisfying, make like Mr. Gadget himself and head straight for O2 Experience and Spectra (Go-Go Gadget Helicopter: optional).
If you thought that Spectra was only useful when you want to bribe a colleague with that pic you took of them on the photocopying machine at the office party, think again. Spectra does much more than just develop photos (both digital and film, FYI). Previously based in the old Dundrum shopping centre as a small photo kiosk, Spectra moved to Dundrum Town Centre and went all out, so now they sell everything from the latest cameras (most notably the Nikon D200 on offer now) to iPods (the full range) and computers (including the latest Mac iBook).
Similarly, the O2 Experience isn’t just about mobile phones, although, if that’s what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. The O2 Experience in Dundrum Town Centre showcases the latest technology in mobile communications and personal entertainment, including Apple computers and iPods, allowing customers to interact with the latest products and services (hence the ‘experience’ part). The range of products available is simply unbeatable and the customer service is all top notch.
So that’s gadgets, footwear, sportswear, entertainment and socialising sorted, and we’re not even half way through the possibilities. What would a town centre be without health and beauty stores (Boots, The Body Shop, L’Occitane, Molton Brown), newsagents (Eason, News Mall), travel agents (Cassidy Travel, Falcon Travel), jewellers (Pilgrim, Storm, Mikey), children’s clothes shops (Daisy and Tom, Mamas and Papas) hairdressers (Peter Mark, Toni & Guy) and a florist (The Blue Bar), as well as services like a crèche and a medical centre? All are easily accessible and sheltered from the elements. If only every town could be so exciting.