Stepping into the The Hemp Company, located at 167 Capel Street, you might have certain expectations about what’s to be on offer: oil, vapourisers and perhaps the odd ironic t-shirt. What visitors actually uncover, however, is an Aladdin’s cave filled with an extensive array of products, with everything from lip balm to chocolate available.

Established in 1999 by owner Jim, the Hemp Company are Ireland’s leading hemp experts, and have been extolling its benefits for almost 20 years. Recently, Cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound found in hemp, has become hugely popular. However, the plant has been used throughout human history for many diverse purposes, including construction, nutrition, medicine and recreation, with the World Health Organisation recently declaring CBD to be “generally well-tolerated with a good safety profile”.

Hemp. Copyright Miguel Ruiz

Since CBD products have entered the market, the Hemp Company have been working tirelessly, researching and promoting the best quality CBD oils, as well as providing knowledge and support on all things hemp. While the scientific community awaits results from large-scale clinical trials, members of the public have forged ahead with their own experimentation. Many people report CBD has helped them cope with chronic pain and inflammation, stress and anxiety, and neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

The Hemp Company’s iconic store near Capel Street carries a comprehensive range of CBD oils, capsules, tinctures, pastes and balms. Other products include hemp foods, clothes made from hemp fibre, and health supplements derived from chemicals naturally occurring in the plant.

Having settled into their premises on Capel Street in 2003, the Hemp Company are now firmly established within the Dublin 1 area. “We really like it,” enthuses shop manager Fabian. “There’s a character to the place you don’t find elsewhere.”

“People come from all over the country to find our store,” notes Jim, who also talks about a group of Americans who rated the store among the best internationally.

Hemp. Copyright Miguel Ruiz

Whether travelling from afar or strolling past, whatever you do, don’t let the unassuming exterior of the building fool you. There’s a wealth on offer within the premises. The more adventurous customers who venture downstairs will find a museum detailing the history of hemp and CBD, including its regulation and uses. The walls are lined with fascinating news stories, including the Irishman who “singlehandledly conducted the first clinical trials of cannabis preparations, invented the modern treatment for cholera, laid the first ever telegraph system in Asia, made significant contributions to pharmacology, and developed underwater engineering”, to name just a few of his achievements.

Display cases boast a construction block and a briefcase both made of hemp. Tucked away at the back of the museum lies the Hemp Kitchen, complete with delicacies such as hemp and turmeric shots, and coffee made with a silky blend of hemp seed milk (a surefire way to wake you up in the morning). Everything is freshly made in-store by resident ‘alchemist’ Declan, who runs the kitchen, and – as with all things Hemp Company related – the quality is absolutely top-notch.