Fishing Shop Near Me: Top Ireland Tackle Stores Guide

Rory’s Fishing Tackle in Temple Bar has opened Sundays since 1959, making it the most reliable weekend option for Dublin anglers. Ireland’s fishing community has a handful of shops that actually open weekends — and one central Dublin spot has been doing Sunday shifts since long before most anglers were born. This guide maps out the shops worth knowing about, what they stock, and the basics you need before you cast off.

Duo Hook size: over 3,000 sq ft · Southside Angling location: Dublin 8 · Rory’s services: live and frozen bait, permits · Swords stock: sea, game, coarse, pike tackle

The table below lists the major Dublin-area tackle shops with their confirmed locations, hours, and specialties.

Best fishing shop near me

The search “fishing shop near me” in Ireland usually returns a scatter of hardware stores, general outfitters, and a handful of dedicated tackle specialists. Three shops come up most often across Dublin — and each has a distinct strength worth knowing before you drive across town.

Duo Hook in Drogheda

Duo Hook covers over 3,000 square feet of retail space in Drogheda and stocks pike gear alongside general tackle lines. It’s one of the larger dedicated shops in the greater Dublin catchment area, making it useful if you need breadth of selection.

Southside Angling Dublin

Southside Angling operates at Unit D, Southgate, Cork Street in Dublin 8 (D08 A0E7). The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM and can be reached at +353 1 4530266. It stocks general angling tackle without confirmed bait availability on Sundays.

Rory’s Fishing Tackle

Rory’s Fishing Tackle at 17a Temple Bar, Dublin D02 K263, was founded in 1959 by Rory Harkin and is now run by his daughter Mary Harkin (Visit Dublin tourism guide). The shop stocks major brands including Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Greys, Guideline, Penn, Sage, Rio, Rapala, Shakespeare, Shimano, Savage Gear, and Westin. It is an authorised distributor of fishing permits and stocks both live and frozen bait (Visit Dublin tourism guide).

Rory’s weekday and Saturday hours are 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM; Sundays run a shorter 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM shift (TripAdvisor verified hours). The shop sits a 2-minute walk from O’Connell Bridge near Ha’penny Bridge, accessible via Luas green or red lines, with a car park 200 metres away (Visit Dublin tourism guide). Online orders over €80 ship free within Ireland (Rory’s Fishing Tackle official site).

TripAdvisor reviewers consistently call Rory’s one of the best Dublin shops, citing its weekend opening and knowledgeable staff. It also sells archery equipment and operates as a registered firearms dealer for rifle and shotgun ammunition (Rory’s Fishing Tackle official site).

Do I need a fishing licence to fish in Ireland?

Unlike many jurisdictions, Ireland does not require a national fishing licence for most angling. Instead, anglers need to purchase a permit for the specific water body they intend to fish. The Citizens Information service outlines the permit system in detail, and Rory’s Fishing Tackle is an authorised distributor of these permits (Visit Dublin tourism guide).

Licence requirements

Ireland’s system operates through local fishery boards rather than a central government licence. Anglers targeting salmon, trout, or certain coarse fish must hold the relevant permit for that water. Rory’s stocks these permits and can advise which one applies to your intended mark.

Where to get permits

Permits are available at authorised retailers including Rory’s in Temple Bar, or directly through the relevant local fisheries authority. If you’re buying tackle elsewhere, ask staff whether they can order a permit for you — not all shops are authorised distributors.

Where can I fish for free in Ireland?

Shore fishing along Ireland’s coastline is generally free and does not require a permit, making it one of the most accessible options for anglers without a boat. Inland waters vary — some publicly owned banks allow free access, while others sit on private land or require a day ticket.

Free fishing spots

Many coastal towns along the Irish Sea, Atlantic, and Shannon Estuary have public piers and promenades where you can set up without paying. The key is confirming public right of access — some popular piers technically require a permit even if enforcement is rare. Freshwater free fishing is less common; most lakes and rivers in Ireland’s salmon and trout fisheries operate on a permit basis.

Shore fishing options

Irish shore marks range from urban piers in Dublin to remote rock marks on the west coast. Dublin’s coast offers shore fishing from Howth Head to Balbriggan, with access points that don’t require any permit. For species like bass, sea trout, and flounder, the shore is often the most productive starting point.

What bait attracts the most fish?

Bait selection depends on what you’re targeting, the water type, and the season. The most consistently productive baits for freshwater in Ireland include worms, maggot, and synthetic soft plastics; for sea fishing, lugworm, ragworm, and fresh mackerel strip dominate.

Best freshwater bait

A guide from Duck Bay Lodge notes that earthworms are among the most effective freshwater baits across Ireland, particularly for coarse fish and brown trout. Red maggots work well in stillwaters and rivers alike, especially during warmer months.

Live and frozen options

Swords Angling Centre stocks both live and frozen sea and freshwater baits, making it one of the more complete bait suppliers in the Dublin area (Swords Angling Centre official site). Rory’s also carries live and frozen bait lines (Visit Dublin tourism guide). Frozen bait is useful for extended trips or when live bait availability is poor, though live bait consistently outperforms frozen for certain species like pike. Per a més informació sobre les properes estrenes, consulta la nostra guia de Noves pel·lícules de terror 2025 Netflix.

What is the ideal length for a fishing rod?

Rod length choice is tied to your target species, fishing method, and the space you’re working in. There’s no single ideal length — what works from a boat differs sharply from what’s needed on a rocky shore.

Rod length guide

A guide from SAIL Blog explains that rod length affects casting distance, accuracy, and control. Longer rods (9–12 feet) generally provide greater casting leverage and are preferred for coarse fishing and salmon fishing from the bank. Shorter rods (6–8 feet) offer better control in tight spaces and are common for sea fishing from piers.

7ft rod uses

A 7-foot rod is well-suited for sea fishing from shore, particularly in surf conditions where a shorter rod helps manage line and reduce wind knot issues. It’s also practical for lure fishing in rivers where overhanging banks restrict casting. For general coarse fishing or salmon work, you’d typically move up to a 9 or 10-foot model.

“Rory’s has been a landmark for all angling enthusiasts and aims to be a ‘university of fishing’.”

— Visit Dublin (Official Tourism Site)

“One of the best fishing shops in Dublin and it works even on the weekends. Staff are very friendly and helpful.”

— TripAdvisor Reviewer

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While Rory’s Fishing Tackle dominates Dublin searches, this detailed Ireland tackle stores guide uncovers more scattered gems for bait, licenses, and gear across Ireland.

Frequently asked questions