Browse the Bookshops

As you’d imagine with its reputation as the place to go for a good party, the city is furnished with more than its fair share of pubs and bars. By the same reasoning, a city equally renowned for the famous writers that were either born or drawn here is also awash with excellent and well-informed booksellers and a magnet for book lovers the world over.

Although mainstream bookshop brands can be found in Dublin selling all the latest ‘pulp’ releases, you’d be much better rewarded seeking out some of the more eclectic and quirky little places.

Books Upstairs at College Green is one that is well worth a visit, even if it’s just to admire the quirky and charming arrangement of the interior. Forget your standard blockbusters and chick-lit, this is for serious readers, people you could describe as ‘bookish’! The shop itself is small and narrow, with a gallery-like upper level. Space here is limited so they the stock levels are small but the staff are amazingly knowledgeable and helpful and very happy to help, or make suggestions of other writers to try if you tell them who you like. The other great thing about this place is that if they don’t have what you want then they’ll try their utmost to get hold of a copy for you from somewhere.

Dublin also specialises in booksellers that deal in second hand and remaindered books, transforming a trip to the bookshop into a veritable treasure hunt as you unexpectedly find that one tome you never even knew existed, or one that has long been out of print. 

One of the largest selections of second hand books will be found at Chapters in Parnell Street – Ireland’s largest independent bookshop.  This megastore has a very wide range of new and used books.  In fact, they are so proud of their selection and their knowledgeable staff that if you don’t find what you went in for, you would be encouraged to inform the assistants so they can assist in locating it, or something else that might suit and keep you turning the pages.

Cathach Books is a charming little shop announced by its large gold letters in Gaelic script in Duke Street, which is between Grafton Street and Dawson Street. If you’ve been drawn to Dublin by its fine writers like Yeats and Joyce then an unrivalled collection of rare volumes are stocked here, including some first editions. There’s also a good selection of books about Irish history, particularly old maps. Stokes Books, in George’s Arcade, off South Great George’s Street, also specialises in ancient and Irish books.

Another alternative is to head to the book market in Temple Bar at the junction with Temple Bar Square. It runs every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.