RENAMED BLACK FRIDAY, the day after Thanksgiving is America’s biggest shopping day and it seems the holiday tradition may be making its way across the Atlantic…just a little later in the year.

The custom of Boxing Day sales has gained traction in the UK in the past few years and it seems Ireland is following suit.

For the third consecutive year, shops across the country have opened their doors on St Stephen’s Day.

Clery’s, Brown Thomas and Arnotts were among the large department stores that started their sales today. However, it was NEXT and River Island that opened their doors first – at 6am and 8am respectively.

Despite the holiday, hundreds of dedicated shoppers started queueing outside the stores this morning in the hope of picking up some bargains.

Black Monday? Hundreds queue up for St Stephen's Day sales

Previous 1 / 17Next

St. Stephens Day Sales
A queue of about 250 people queued this morning outside Arnotts department store on Henry Street in Dublin, including a tired Saoirse McElvaney from Blanchardstown (right) who was first in line, and queued from 5pm on Christmas Day. Handbags were the main attraction this morning with up to 70 per cent off. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
A shopper on Oxford Street, in central London, as high street stores open for the traditional Boxing Day sales.
St. Stephens Day Sales
Shoppers in Selfridges, on Oxford Street, central London, as the department store opens its doors.
St. Stephens Day Sales
Catfight! Shoppers actually argue in Selfridges, on Oxford Street.
St. Stephens Day Sales
Shoppers rush into Selfridges.
St. Stephens Day Sales
A young woman waits to pay for her items at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.
St. Stephens Day Sales
Shoppers queue outside the Next Shoeroom in Manchester.
St. Stephens Day Sales
Next Kids Sale.
St. Stephens Day Sales
Shoppers on Henry Street were up early this morning with the NEXT sale starting at 6am. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
A store assistant hoovers the inside of Clerys department store on O'Connell Street in Dublin as shoppers wait to enter for the St Stephens Day sales. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
St. Stephens Day Sales
St. Stephens Day Sales

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

St. Stephens Day Sales

More: The 12 burning questions* of Xmas: Stephen’s Day or New Year’s sales?>

Read more: When do the post-Christmas sales start?>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.