Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find answers to some of the frequently asked questions we receive. If you have any other queries, you can email us: info@millarsconnemara.ie.
What are your opening hours?
We are open Monday to Saturday, from 10am - 6pm. We are also open on Sundays 11am - 6pm.
When was Millars founded?
Millars Connemara was founded in 1890 by Robert Millar. Beginning as a woolen and tweed shop on Market Street in Clifden, the business moved to its main premises on Main Street in the 1950s.
Robert's son, Albert, began producing tweed for clothing and accesories such as men's hats and ties. Millar's opened a shop in Dublin city centre where the business thrived.
As time wore on, tweed began to go out of fashion, and manufacturing in Ireland became increasingly expensive and difficult to run. In the 1990s, Millar's Tweeds in Clifden ceased production.
However, the shop on Main Street went from strength to strength as Clifden, and the west of Ireland, became a popular tourist destination. Today, Millars Connemara are proud stockists of some of the finest labels in Europe, selling both men's and women's fashion, shoes, accessories and homewares.
Do you still make tweed?
No. Unfortunately, the Millars tweed mill closed in the 1990s. Tweed was going out of fashion at the time so the factory was closed.
Do you still make hats?
No, we do not. Hat manufacturing was a business undertaken by Albert Millar. While the hats made were of fantastic craftsmanship and quality, they were very expensive to produce. The hat factory was also closed in the 1990s.
What brands do you sell?
For ladies, we carry a large range of contemporary labels:
- Ania Schierholt
- Elemente Clemente
- Gustav
- Ischiko
- Ireland's Eye
- Knitknit
- Knit-ted
- Les Filles d'Ailleurs
- Mama B
- McConnell
- Mos Mosh
- No2Moro
- Oska
- Pret Pour Partir
- Psophia
- Purotatto
- Rosso35
- The Author
- Urban by Alembika
- Vetono
- XD Xenia Design
For men, we carry a carefully curated selection of brands:
- Baldessarini
- Dubarry
- Ecoalf
- Gran Sasso
- John Hanly
- Mackintosh by Francis Campanelli
- Stenstrom shirts
- Tinnakeely leather bags and briefcases
Why are your prices higher than other retailers?
As a small business, it is paramount to pay our staff and bills every month. Despite being in a tourist area, we are open all year round and do not close at all during the quiet winter months. The only time we close is Sundays in January. Our staff are employed all year round and receive full-time hours. In the case of bills, having a large physical store means our electricity costs are higher than ever due to the energy crisis.
Our stock is high quality and mainly made in Europe with natural materials. From fashion to furniture, we pride ourselves on the range we carry and the fact that the majority of these items are sustainable and made under good working conditions with fair pay. Every item in the shop has been carefully selected. A considerable amount of time, effort, and consideration goes into buying for each season. We aim to ensure our customers receive the best styles and collections possible.
On top of this, getting stock into the shop is very expensive. The cost of shipping to Ireland is rising; a single box costs up to one hundred euros, and large deliveries costs hundreds of euros.
There are many factors at play, but we believe our prices are fair for the services we provide.
Do you ship abroad?
Yes, we do ship abroad. For delivery costs, please add an item to your cart and proceed to checkout to view shipping rates.