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WE’VE HAD SOME stellar pubs, grub, trees and bookshops to visit before you die. Now, we turn our attention to record shops.
Here, in no particular order, are a selection across the country you just have to have a root in.
1. All City Records, Dublin
Is it a graffiti supply shop or a record store? Why not both?
Hip hop culture packaged into the heart of Temple Bar, All City sell an eclectic mix of house, techno, soul and funk, as well as releases from their own in-house record label. If you can’t find any sounds you like, take some time to leer at their extensive stock of spray paint, inks, and specialised magazines.
Located on Fade Street in Dublin, The Record Spot is relatively new venture in vinyl. Downstairs is where you want to be, where there are drawers full of second-hand vinyl five for €20. You can test them before you buy, and the sound owners are constantly more than willing to guide you towards some gems.
Located in the Secret Book and Record Store, it’s easy to see why you might miss it. The entrance is almost hidden off Wicklow Street, but just gives the impression you’re in on the secret. It’s a bit like rooting through your grandparent’s shed, so don’t go with a specific title in mind. Staff know their stuff though, so won’t steer you wrong.
With past visitors including Bono and Glen Hansard, this charming little shop sells the best in traditional Irish music and hosts regular live ‘sessions from the shop’. It’s mostly CDs on offer but if you’re looking for a trad title, find it here or it simply can’t be found.
Saved from closure by a passionate fanbase, this vinyl hideout is situated in the Triskel Arts Centre and sells a wide range of independent artists as well as hosting regular live sessions.
Into your metal? Get into the void. The shop stocks a big collection of rock, punk, and metal. ALL the metal. Thrash, death, black, grind, whatever you want, unearth it in this little hardcore haven.
Galway’s go-to for independent Irish music, Wingnut sells a mixture of independent CDs, vinyl and cassettes. Yeah, remember those?
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Branches of Wingnut can also be found tucked away in Hard Times Books in Waterford, or Athlone in The Sound Factory. Their regular sessions are a thing to behold.
Belfast’s little hidden treasure, Dragon Records stocks some the usual, along with some rare 7-inch across a range of genres. The place is known for their friendly and helpful staff, so you can leave all pretension at the door.
Tucked away on Peter Street, South East Records may not have the most charming of interiors, but it sells gems across all genres. The carefully selected new and second-hand wax is supplemented with local bands’ independent releases that you won’t find anywhere else.
The entrance to this ‘basement of rock’ hidden below Dublin is beside a Subway on Nassau Street and too easy to miss. It looks like a dishevelled stock room but the record collection is extensive. While it’s always good for a root, staff are happy to order in whatever you’re specifically looking for.
Tucked away in George’s Street Arcade, Spindizzy has a small selection of new vinyl, but a treasure trove of second-hand wax across all genres. Some hidden treasures are known to lurk around their extensive dance collection and they’ll buy any decent records you have lying around for a good price.
Calling itself ‘the happiest little record shop in the world’, Rollercoaster on Kieran Street is pretty basic but carries a nice selection of CDs, vinyl and DVDs. Think of it like a Golden Discs with way more charm, as well as the place Dave Grohl bought Goo.
13. Rainbow Records, Waterford
Charming little Rainbow stock tons of cheap CDS and second hand vinyl, and you can pick up some gems for next to nothing. Definitely a place you can judge a record buy its cover and not worry about throwing your cash into the void.
The smoothest place in Carlow, if you’ve got some soul, this place stocks anything you could possibly want with a vibed-out sofa area to give it a test spin. Get in quick, it’s only open Tuesday to Saturdays and will be moving in the new year.
Even Tubridy has been spotted browsing through the offerings. A reason to go if we ever heard one.
Friday 8 November, 2024
Friday 8 November, 2024
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14 independent Irish record shops you need to visit before you die
WE’VE HAD SOME stellar pubs, grub, trees and bookshops to visit before you die. Now, we turn our attention to record shops.
Here, in no particular order, are a selection across the country you just have to have a root in.
1. All City Records, Dublin
Is it a graffiti supply shop or a record store? Why not both?
Hip hop culture packaged into the heart of Temple Bar, All City sell an eclectic mix of house, techno, soul and funk, as well as releases from their own in-house record label. If you can’t find any sounds you like, take some time to leer at their extensive stock of spray paint, inks, and specialised magazines.
2. The Record Spot, Dublin
Located on Fade Street in Dublin, The Record Spot is relatively new venture in vinyl. Downstairs is where you want to be, where there are drawers full of second-hand vinyl five for €20. You can test them before you buy, and the sound owners are constantly more than willing to guide you towards some gems.
Bands have been known to pop across before their gigs in Whelan’s to have a rummage, and dogs. Always dogs.
3. Freebird Records, Dublin
Located in the Secret Book and Record Store, it’s easy to see why you might miss it. The entrance is almost hidden off Wicklow Street, but just gives the impression you’re in on the secret. It’s a bit like rooting through your grandparent’s shed, so don’t go with a specific title in mind. Staff know their stuff though, so won’t steer you wrong.
4. Dingle Record Shop, Kerry
With past visitors including Bono and Glen Hansard, this charming little shop sells the best in traditional Irish music and hosts regular live ‘sessions from the shop’. It’s mostly CDs on offer but if you’re looking for a trad title, find it here or it simply can’t be found.
5. Plugd, Cork
Saved from closure by a passionate fanbase, this vinyl hideout is situated in the Triskel Arts Centre and sells a wide range of independent artists as well as hosting regular live sessions.
6. Into the Void, Dublin
Into your metal? Get into the void. The shop stocks a big collection of rock, punk, and metal. ALL the metal. Thrash, death, black, grind, whatever you want, unearth it in this little hardcore haven.
7. Wingnut, Bell, Book & Candle, Galway
Galway’s go-to for independent Irish music, Wingnut sells a mixture of independent CDs, vinyl and cassettes. Yeah, remember those?
Branches of Wingnut can also be found tucked away in Hard Times Books in Waterford, or Athlone in The Sound Factory. Their regular sessions are a thing to behold.
8. Dragon Records, Belfast
Belfast’s little hidden treasure, Dragon Records stocks some the usual, along with some rare 7-inch across a range of genres. The place is known for their friendly and helpful staff, so you can leave all pretension at the door.
9. South East Records, Wexford
Tucked away on Peter Street, South East Records may not have the most charming of interiors, but it sells gems across all genres. The carefully selected new and second-hand wax is supplemented with local bands’ independent releases that you won’t find anywhere else.
10. Sound Cellar, Dublin
The entrance to this ‘basement of rock’ hidden below Dublin is beside a Subway on Nassau Street and too easy to miss. It looks like a dishevelled stock room but the record collection is extensive. While it’s always good for a root, staff are happy to order in whatever you’re specifically looking for.
11. Spindizzy Records, Dublin
Tucked away in George’s Street Arcade, Spindizzy has a small selection of new vinyl, but a treasure trove of second-hand wax across all genres. Some hidden treasures are known to lurk around their extensive dance collection and they’ll buy any decent records you have lying around for a good price.
12. Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny
Calling itself ‘the happiest little record shop in the world’, Rollercoaster on Kieran Street is pretty basic but carries a nice selection of CDs, vinyl and DVDs. Think of it like a Golden Discs with way more charm, as well as the place Dave Grohl bought Goo.
13. Rainbow Records, Waterford
Charming little Rainbow stock tons of cheap CDS and second hand vinyl, and you can pick up some gems for next to nothing. Definitely a place you can judge a record buy its cover and not worry about throwing your cash into the void.
14. Soultrader, Carlow
The smoothest place in Carlow, if you’ve got some soul, this place stocks anything you could possibly want with a vibed-out sofa area to give it a test spin. Get in quick, it’s only open Tuesday to Saturdays and will be moving in the new year.
Even Tubridy has been spotted browsing through the offerings. A reason to go if we ever heard one.
Well, who did we leave out? Let us know in the comments…
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