Louise O'Neill: Why we have to shop local and support local business

You can shop locally, you can still support small Irish businesses and get beautiful presents that your family will adore, from artisan chocolate to world class skincare.

There was an old woman who used to come into my parents’ butcher shop in Clonakilty and whenever she saw me, she’d say – I’m paying for the clothes on your back, girl. 

It was an odd thing to say to a child but I did what I had been taught to do – I smiled politely at her and said thank you. Because she was right.