There's something about visiting Kilkenny that makes even the most "craftophobic" long to buy something hand-thrown. There are several craft shops in the city itself, The Kilkenny Shop on the Parade being the biggest, but the real plus about being in Kilkenny is that you can take yourself off to where the crafts are actually produced and find yourself a real bargain.

At Jerpoint Glass, in Stoneyford (across from Mount Juliet), there is always a good selection of seconds. Their chunky wine glasses which, when perfect, retail for £16.70, sell here for £12.50; a large bowl normally £64.25, goes for £45 and a nut bowl £13.50 instead of £19.35. Unusually they don't open on Sunday, so weekend shoppers have only Saturday and Monday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Nicholas Mosse Pottery Seconds Shop, at Bennettsbridge, sells seconds of the distinctive spongeware at roughly 20 per cent off their regular price. They have some seconds of the company's latest floral printed ranges. Open 10am - 6 p.m. (closed 1p.m. - 2p.m.) Sundays 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Mosses' cafe in Bennettsbridge is a fine place to have a pot of tea in between buying sprees.

Stoneware Jackson, also in Bennettsbridge, has a wonderful selection of beautifully patterned pottery. The firsts sell here at about 15 per cent off their high street prices and their seconds are better value again at 25 per cent less. Open Monday - Saturday 9.30 a.m. 6 p.m. The Duiske Glass Factory Shop sells its seconds at roughly 20 per cent off the regular price although, depending on the line, there are higher reductions. Opens 9 a.m. - 5 pm, Sat 10.30 a.m. 12.30 p.m.