PEOPLE who take shopping seriously may need to alter their behaviour this year. A languorous saunter around town at noon would appear to be a thing of the past. For starters, the streets are mobbed by noon; by 11 a.m. most car parks are full.
There's only one thing for it. Rise at dawn and get on the road as soon as you've brushed your teeth. No breakfast allowed until you have arrived in town and secured a parking space. When you finally do sit down, breakfast should be an event, crammed full of enough calories and indulgences to see you through the whole day's shopping. There are kippers to be had, and blinis and bagels. You might find them better than shopping, actually.
Brown's Bar, Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin 2 (tel: 01-605 6666):
Straight into the belly of the beast what more strategic place to plot the day's progress? Gather your wits over cappuccino and delicious potato blinis topped with smoked salmon (£5.75). Alternatively, go for a sugar/carbo fix in pastry form that will provide enough energy to see you well through the rush hour lunch crowds (until the afternoon when you can return without queueing to your perch - for still more cappuccino and pastries). On the third floor, Brown's is also a good starting point - expect full Irish or continental breakfasts, more in the Switzer's style, from £1.50.
No 27 The Green, Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin 2, tel 676 6471:
An opulent buffet spread (fresh fruits, cereals, cold meat smorgasbord, smoked salmon, muesli, fresh juices, scrummy baked goods) stands alone (£10.95) or comes with all hot breakfast selections. Pancakes and maple syrup, smoked kippers, potato and leek blinis with smoked duck, sirloin steak or cornets of smoked salmon stuffed with scrambled eggs (and of course, a bang up fry) are costly at between £11.75-13.50 but guaranteed to keep you full well into the evening. Special dietary requirements are impressively well catered for soya milk, gluten-free bread, diabetic preserves, low-sodium salt, low-fat yoghurts and fat-free milk are always readily available. The elegant dining room overlooking the Green, meanwhile, offers a last taste of true civilisation before one enters the shopping fray.
Expresso Bar, Unit 7, Westbury Mall, Dublin 2, tel: 670 7056.
The newest breakfast spot in town is ideally located for an assault on Grafton Street. Warm banana walnut bread slathered in butter (£1.95) packs enough calories to see you well past lunch - it is moist and not too cloyingly sweet. Traditionalists may opt for a fry instead (£3.50), the health-conscious for homemade muesli and plain yoghurt with a banana sliced in (£2.95). The latter is dry and coarse enough to make you feel it must be doing the system some good. A form of consumer penance?
Sit at the back of the bar on the oversized blue velvet sofa for an overview of fellow shoppers sipping their lattes.
Nash 19, Mall End, Princes Street, Cork, tel 021 270 880:
Proprietor Clare Nash has a devoted following of regulars who stop in for homemade breads and pastries and her bottomless cups of coffee on the way to both work and shopping (she opens at 8 am). At times, it seems everyone son a first name basis. Baked goods change daily but muesli, cereals, yoghurt bowls and full fries are always available (£3.50). The excellent deli section is also worth a look - pocket a sandwich for later if there's no way you can make it to dinner without a boost.
Westbury Hotel, Grafton Street, Dublin 2, tel: 679 1122.
Breakfast is only served to non-residents if there is room in the dining room, which is often full on weekends. It's worth a try, though - if only because it is one of the few places right in the heart of town where it is possible to get a good Eggs Benedict (£8.65), American pancakes and maple syrup (£8.65) or grilled lamb's liver (as part of a selection that imbues the term "full breakfast" with new meaning, £9.75). Chancers will attempt to secure a place in the hotel carpark on the basis of their breakfast.
Cafe Java, 5 South Anne Street, Dublin 2, tel 670 7239:
Although there are also Cale Javas in Blackrock and Leeson Street, the South Anne Street premises is probably the most relevant for the diehard Christmas shopper. Best breakfast nosh: the bagel, smoked salmon and cream cheese (£3.85). Have it New York style with onion and lashings of lemon juice and black pepper for a serious kick start. The Vegetarian (£3.25) is also delectable - two poachers on toasted brown bread with caramelised onions and melted cheddar. Both it and the Cafe Java breakfast (£3.25) - two slices of bacon, a poached egg and grilled tomato on white toast - some with coffee or tea and proper condiments such as tomato relish.
It's a good place to rendezvous with accomplices since, against all odds, there's always a good supply of newspapers to keep you busy while you wait.
Macken's, The Corn Store, Middle Street, Galway, tel 091 565 789:
Before nipping into Cobwebs for some stocking stuffers, try a traditional breakfast or BLT, in this spacious ex-Bewleys. It may be self-service but staff always volunteer to help anyone who needs a hand getting settled, particularly those laden with kinder.
Alpha, 37 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2, tel 677 0213:
Directly opposite Brown Thomas but a world apart in terms of style, the Alpha earns its street cred by being ultra down-to-earth with ancient, mismatched formica table tops and classic dinette chairs.
On Christmas Eve, Alpha hops with shopping procrastinators - usually youngish and artsy. There's no better place for a cheap, old-fashioned fry, which comes in two sizes; the Jumbo has double everything and white pudding for £4.50. Low fat is simply not an option.
Chompys, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre Clarendon Street, Dublin 2, tel: 679 4552:
The Great American Breakfast runs the gamut from stacked pancakes with maple syrup (sausages and bacon an obligatory extra), lox and bagel (£4), eggs Benedict (£3), cinnamon toast (65p) and french toast dredged in icing sugar £2). Generous servings are also in the American tradition as are the free coffee refills with food orders. The eagle's eye view of the shopping complex may get the adrenalin surging as much as the coffee.
Cafe du Journal, Quay Street, Galway, tel 091 568 426:
This may just be the only restaurant in the centre of Galway where you can get a bowl of porridge. Proprietor Chris Terry is quickly cornering the trendy brekkie market - his new Dutch Billy's (Kirwan's Lane, Galway, tel: 091564 697) has also recently opened nearby.
For good light, fast fare in the continental style. And great coffee.
Debenhams, Jervis Street Centre, Dublin 1, tel: 878 1222:
It's basic and it's busy but it's lightning fast, dependable and already very, very popular. Most of the world will check out the new shopping centre at some stage (and take advantage of the parking) - the wise ones will get off to a good start with a sausage, rasher, fried egg and fried bread (£1.25) under their belt or at least a cuppa and a croissant (£1.40). For shoppers with young ones, baby foods are always