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London’s shopping industry offers a colourful mix of global influences on our high streets. With Ireland’s rich heritage in fashion, fabrics and food, exports from the Emerald Isle are treasured over here in London town. We’ve recommended a few shops where you can pick up the finest Irish produce this St Patrick’s Day.
 Milroy's of Soho 3 Greek Street, W1D 4NX This veritable treasure trove of malts has a complete contingent from Ireland to choose from, ideal shopping for St Patrick’s Day. The fact that the Irish can't have a coffee without slipping a shot of whiskey into it is proof, if it were needed, that they are just as keen on a nip of the hard stuff as their Gaelic comrades over the water. Their version might not be as famous the world over, but, stone me, it tastes mighty fine. Smooth and sweet, it can easily knock your socks off. This shop is a haven for enthusiasts with a quite mind-boggling selection, which would take years of liver-annihilating drinking to explore fully. If you are still in your whiskey nappies, ask advice from the knowledgeable staff, and pick up a fine bottle to toast St Patrick. Address: 3 Greek Street W1D 4NX Phone: 020 7437 9311 Time: Mon to Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road Tube Milroy's of Soho - Information   Rosslyn Delicatessen56 Rosslyn Hill, NW3 1ND Rosslyn is one of London’s finest delis and well worth the trip up to Hampstead. Their selection of fresh cheeses is legendary. Ireland's culinary heritage is well represented here with a variety of brands from all over the country. The soft flavours of melt-in-your-mouth Cashel Blue sit next to the robust camembert-style Cooleeny and award-winning Milleens. They’ll either take you back to your roots or offer a new taste experience altogether. English and Irish cheese-making have a shared heritage but the latter aren’t widely available in the UK, so here’s your chance. Of course, the deli has a whole world more to offer, so you can pick a bag full of other exotic specialities too. The staff are wonderfully clued-up and have a real enthusiasm for their wares. Address: 56 Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1ND Phone: 020 7794 9210 Time: Mon to Sat 8am-8.30pm, Sun 8.30am-8pm Nearest Station: Hampstead Tube Rosslyn Delicatessen - Information  Orla Kiely31 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DD Irish designer Orla Kiely burst onto the fashion scene in a splash of signature prints and bold colours that have become her calling card. It was a particularly bold move given the universally monochrome fashion palate of the 1990s. But her unique use of mismatching colours, graphic prints and layered textures has won her a loyal following among the fashion pack. Spot one of her bags apparently casually slung over a shoulder in the street and you instantly know it's an Orla Kiely - you should also know there's nothing casual about investing in one of these pricey totes. From designing bags to clothes, she has expanded to homeware, ceramics and wallpaper, formats to which her prints are well suited. She has also designed two capsule collections for the Tate and is currently working on a project for MoMA in New York. Address: 31 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DD Phone: 020 7240 4022 Times: Mon to Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun midday-5pm Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube Orla Kiely - Information  Did you know?The potent concoction of Irish coffee was invented at Shannon airport in the 1940s. Shannon was a major hub for transatlantic flying boat flights. One day in 1943 a flying boat took off, encountered a vicious storm and turned back. The weather grew worse, however, so upon landing the passengers were ushered back into the terminal building. Legend has it that the on-duty chef threw some cream, sugar and Irish whiskey together to comfort the passengers and when one of them asked whether it was Brazilian coffee, he replied "no, that's Irish coffee". There was an American reporter at the airport who took the recipe back to America and the rest is history. |
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