Powerscourt Townhouse Centre

Just off Grafton St. is a sophisticated shopping centre brimming with stylish boutiques and chi chi cafes. The Georgian mansion which houses this unique retail experience was built in 1774 with granite from Co. Wicklow's Powerscourt Estate. The former residence of  MEP Lord Powerscourt (Richard Wingfield), tours (Fri & Sat, 15:00) explain its history, 18th Century life for the privileged and how the centre works around the house, rather than the other way around. Tickets can be bought from the Information Desk. Opened as a Shopping Centre in 1981, Powerscourt elegantly fuses independent shops and galleries with upmarket high street names. The courtyard atmosphere has long been a favourite with the city's elite, so why not join them for an afternoon of pure designer indugence?