IKEA confirms plan to open first Irish store

FURNITURE retailer IKEA will finally open the doors of its first shop in Ireland next year.

The Swedish company, best known for its flat pack furniture, yesterday confirmed it will open a 30,500sq metre store in Ballymun, north Dublin.

The announcement has been expected for some time. It is just over a year since Environment Minister Dick Roche changed planning laws to allows the development of massive superstores in certain areas.