Shopfronts have a very special place in the Irish landscape. A surprising number of old shopfronts remain in almost their original state even in the large cities and towns, but age and the strident demands of commerce have reduced the numbers quite dramatically. The most sophisticated designs feature combinations of decorative ironwork and carved wood. Hand-painted lettering is an additional feature. In this study of Irish shops, Sean Rothery looks at their development from rural converted houses to city planned shops, considers all types of shops and writes of the materials used, the facade lettering and the colour schemes.