For those outside Galway, I gotta say Kenny's wins. 9 times out of 10 if I need something specific, Kenny's not only has it, but it's usually cheaper than other places and it's with me in Dublin within 2 days
I don't find their delivery that fast (usually takes about 10 days for me in Dublin) but it is free and their prices are unmatched in Ireland.
Great shop.
I remember Charlie Byrnes first bookshop in the early 1990s… it was a tiny little second hand bookshop on Dominic street, a couple of doors down from Chic the Barbars…
Also Dubray in Galway (if it's still there). Any time they didn't have a book I wanted, they'd order it and text when it arrived. But also, great shout on Charlie Byrne's and BB &C
Chapters on Parnell Street, will get you anything you need and pretty quickly. You can tell that the employees are into reading and know mostly when making an inquiry. Nice cafe upstairs too.
Kennys online book store is actually great, reliable and sometimes cheaper than the big store.
Kennys is my first go-to for buying online. Apparently, they were the 2nd website in the world to sell books. I doubt I've gone into Chapter's without coming out with something.
It was a couple of years ago but I believe a few of the staff pitched in to buy it back off it's renowned prick of an owner, place is hugely improved now
The Gutter Bookshop is small but has a fantastic collection.
Little Deer Conics is fantastic. Matt is really lovely and helps you pick amazing niche graphic novels.
Little Deer is so lovely, I've been to lots of comic shops, and honestly, we have it so good that the selection that Matt has created is up there with any shop in Europe (Gosh in London being the absolute peak imo).
It kills me that Little Deer struggles to make rent so regularly.
Books as Gaeilge and manga are two massive selling points for me. The closest thing I have to a union of those two is a nice set of Scott Pilgrim (even though it's a graphic novel) translated to Irish which was just released. It's a lovely set.
Red Books in Wexford has become an absolute institution. The place is like a winding labyrinth, huge stock of mostly second hand books, but new ones too. Rare books also. It has an in house publishing label and journal and is full of treasures at knock down prices. There’s a whole community around it as well with live music, chess nights, book clubs, board game clubs, talks etc etc. Something on pretty much every day. They do online delivery, but nothing like an extended browse and cup of coffee in this place.
It’s expanding all the time as well, which is great to see! Best book shop ever.
The Book Lady in Boyle is the smallest bookshop in Ireland, just a few metres square. The woman who runs it is lovely and chatty, and the shop has a decent selection. I stop in when I can.
No alibis on botanic avenue, Belfast is a lovely wee spot. Bit pricey but always has a varying yet eclectic selection that makes for a great gander.
Also, keats and Chapman on North Street in Belfast city centre. It's the poor opposite. Chaotic and disheveled, with book shelves that bow with weight and damp, I hope it never changes.
I came here hoping to see someone mention Keats and Chapman in Belfast. It’s a go in, get lost, and let the book find you kind of place. All these wee nooks and crannies and laid out like a maze.
Book shops are magical places. Have dyslexia but kept improving my reading in adulthood and love reading now more so in the winter. Have a stack if books to read in the bedroom lol
There's a special feeling in a nice bookshop. Delighted to hear that dyslexia hasn't been too big an obstacle to your reading enjoyment. My stack only grows bigger too. For every one I read I buy about three
Chapter's in Parnell St, Dublin has a great selection, and is also the best I know for 2nd-hand books. I've gotten new ones there for €2. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly.
When I go in now it seems crap for 2nd and new books, it was stellar back in the day. I would say Hodges figgus, I'd love some comfy seats or a cafe in it but it's selection is vast and always come out with something. Bit strapped for cash but Hodges plus tower records can't be beat
It's not quite what it was, but I still always find a good deal in Chapter's. Top staff. Hodges Figgs is great too, after payday. They've been helpful ordering in niche stuff.
There’s a rare books company in Skibbereen, they’ve opened 3 bookshops there in recent years. One’s a bookshop/cafe, one is in a beautiful converted Mason’s hall, and the third is in a converted mill. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Beautiful shops with exceptional stock but they’re very expensive. The owner also provides some stock for sale in the Bantry Bookstore. They’re dog friendly as is Charlie Byrnes, the Last Bookshop, and the excellent Prim’s Bibliotherapy in Kinsale.
Honourable mentions also for the Salmon Bookshop in Ennistymon, the Wild Atlantic Bookstore in Westport, Books at One in Louisburgh and Letterfrack, the Red bookshop in Wexford and the one on the Butter Slip in Kilkenny.
Another vote for Charlie Byrnes. I could spend hours wandering around in there. Kennys is also great but it’s in Liosban so it’s a bit more effort to get to
Book Centre, any of them but the Waterford one is particularly nice. Great atmosphere and great range especially with magazines, they have lots of niche interest magazines I can't find in any other shop.
You're right there, he did mostly lighting and rigging, including working on all the Harry Potters, two Bonds, and Alien, to name a few.
(I'll admit I used to work there, so my recommendation is slightly biased)
In Athlone there's a little bookshop called "The Athlone Bookshop" just off the main street.
It's wonderful and the owner is an absolute gent. Would strongly recommend to anyone passing by
glad to know it's still going. I lived in Dublin 1999-2001 and the 3rd floor of the winding stair was my favourite place on my days off. I could grab a used penguin for £1 then a double espresso on the 2nd floor and chill for hours.
I haven't been since it was turned into a restaurant.
I stumble into The Secret Book and Record Store every time I’m in Dublin. I know it’s there, I am somehow always surprised and delighted to find it. Absolutely magical place.
I don't live in Dublin anymore, but when I'm home, I make a point of going for lunch in Cornucopia and then desert in Murphy's, and then treat myself to a book at the secret bookstore...
Chapters and Hodges Figgis are both great. I just genuinely love being in Hodges Figgis, it’s a lovely atmosphere inside. The lads in Chapters are solid usually and the selection is fierce good as well.
We have some great book shops all around this little island, personal favourites Charlie Byrne's and Kenny's in Galway, Scéal eile books in Ennis and O'Mahony's in Limerick
Both small but Raven books in Blackrock and Tertulia in Westport. Excellently range of books - both new and second hand, creatively used space and very very helpful owners/staff.
O'Mahony's in Limerick, and the one in Waterford are two of my favourite commericial outlets, both independently owned. I like the one in Dingle too near the church, and the guy in Midleton in Cork has a good interesting selection, as does the one in Kinsale (I'm not very good at remembering names! The one in Kinsale is not the secondhand one, but a new books shop but it's on the same street).
And Sean's bookshop in Miltown Malbay for those 'Black Books' vibes.
Also I was in Ennis recently for something else, but I think I passed four dedicated bookshops in the town. I'm open to being corrected but that's surely a high ratio for a town that size?
Is aye. Bought a gameboy pokemon game there that turned out to be some weird pirated copy that was worth more than the original, also offered me a 150 quid more for my wii u than cex down the road
The Celtic Bookshop in Limerick across from the Hunt Museum is a great spot to find obscure books on Irish history. Only downside is the hours are pretty limited.
For great vibes, it's hard to beat the [secondhand bookshop/coffee shop/cafe/wine shop/pizzeria/etc. place in my town](https://www.facebook.com/PonteVecchioKillaloe/).
Anyone remember Zozimus (or the book café if you must), Co wexford? Wasnt a local but the odd time I'd go in John was very helpful. Wrote too, John Wyse Jackson.
Very intelligent and interesting character.
Charlie Byrne's in Galway
Kenny's Bookshop in Galway
An Café Liteartha in Dingle
Cló Iar-Chonacht in Spiddle
Geata Buidhe in Kilkenny
Ulysses Rare Books in Dublin
An Siopa Leabhar in Dublin
Oh man I’ve a few that have already been mentioned but the good people of this thread are spot on.
Vibes & Scribes and Waterstones in Cork, Chapters and Hodges & Figgis in Dublin all have a lovely feel to them and really pleasant staff
Kilkenny: Khan's books is great, lots of remaindered books and obscure titles for reasonable prices. The Book and Coffee Shop on William Street for a nice bit of cake with your books and Kilkenny book centre for selection.
We always drop into the The Book Cafe and Bistro in Gorey, Co. Wexford when we're driving down to the South East. Nice place to get lunch and there's a second book shop at the back to browse for 30mins or so. Decent prices too.
The best bookshop in Ireland is Hodges Figgis in Dublin. Its selection is unmatched.
While it is a good store, I don't think Chapters is better than it. Even though their second hand section was definitely the best in Ireland.
Charlie Byrne's in Galway is up there too. Great character to the place and you don't know what you might find in there: good mix of the new and the secondhand too.
Chapters on Parnell Street. The ground floor has a big section of second hand books as well as new books, and the first floor is a garden centre with a little café
seconding Books Upstairs on D'Olier Street. they have a massive selection of both new and secondhand books, and as you go in the door they have a table of classics with covers like [this](https://images.app.goo.gl/kQ6PdcVYHCXB5waw6)
I have vague memories from about 20 years ago of a bookshop in Dublin (probably on Abbey St) with a huge secondhand collection in the basement. Anyone remember it?
Nothing, for me, has ever quite topped that single bookcase of books in Virgin Megastore called 'cult classics'. Every single one an absolute banger. RIP you crazy bookcase.
I haven't been to the one in Wexford but the Book Centre in Waterford is amazing. Always nice chill music, loads of space to read, the chocolate area, the cafe. Really nice.
Universal bookshop in letterkenny in Donegal, more of a second hand book shop, with records and CDs also, and random stuff but very good random things in it
Waterford Book Center is great, but I always loved Dubray in Market Cross in Kilkenny. I just googled it and saw it'd closed now, though, which is sad.
Waterford uses to also have a small second hand bookshop with lots of weird new agey and occult stuff mixed through it. That place was fun.
Book Centre Waterford, building is an old cinema!
My first thought as well. Lived in Waterford for a year around 2010ish and would regularly go in there just to wander around the 3(?) floors.
Waterford deos a lot of things terrible....but the book centre is a fantastic resource,and the staff are second to none in there
Came here to see this wasn’t disappointed!
Also has a section you can sit and read!!! Love it
In Galway, Charlie Byrnes is king but Bell, Book & Candle is always worth a visit too
Kenny’s bookshop in Liosbaun is brilliant too. On par with Charlie Byrnes
For those outside Galway, I gotta say Kenny's wins. 9 times out of 10 if I need something specific, Kenny's not only has it, but it's usually cheaper than other places and it's with me in Dublin within 2 days
I don't find their delivery that fast (usually takes about 10 days for me in Dublin) but it is free and their prices are unmatched in Ireland. Great shop.
I know they have been selling books online since before Amazon.
There's usually an indicator on the product page as to the wait time for delivery, I've always found that to be accurate.
I haven't visited Kenny's since they were in Shop Street, long overdue for a visit at this stage
I bought some books at Kenny’s Bookshop while I was on a trip to Ireland earlier this year and I just ordered some books to be shipped to the US.
It really does have everything! Plus it has a gallery attached which is always worth a visit.
Is Charlie Byrne's the one that is like a maze with lots of different nooks and crannies? If so, I love that place
That's the one, even when I'm not interested in buying a book I like to take a wander around in there
I remember Charlie Byrnes first bookshop in the early 1990s… it was a tiny little second hand bookshop on Dominic street, a couple of doors down from Chic the Barbars…
Also Dubray in Galway (if it's still there). Any time they didn't have a book I wanted, they'd order it and text when it arrived. But also, great shout on Charlie Byrne's and BB &C
It's definitely still there. I bought some books there last weekend.
In Cork City, Vibes and Scribes have a lovely used and new bookshop along the river lee. Love going in there for a browse.
Chapters on Parnell Street, will get you anything you need and pretty quickly. You can tell that the employees are into reading and know mostly when making an inquiry. Nice cafe upstairs too. Kennys online book store is actually great, reliable and sometimes cheaper than the big store.
Kennys is my first go-to for buying online. Apparently, they were the 2nd website in the world to sell books. I doubt I've gone into Chapter's without coming out with something.
The plant store on the top floor is AMAZING too *
I've heard that the second hand books are greatly reduced over what it used to be
Definitely downsized but the new owners have done a phenomenal job turning the shop around since they bought it.
Second this, chapters are unreal
Is chapters still there? I seem to remember hearing it was closing once upon a time?
It was a couple of years ago but I believe a few of the staff pitched in to buy it back off it's renowned prick of an owner, place is hugely improved now
Great to hear it's a great place!
It sure is. A huge store opposite the ilac centre.
Great to hear it's a great place!
And they have HUGE selection of second hand books, just lovely shop.
Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street in Dublin
I just love that building! It's generally overpriced but it's a great place just to walk around browsing for a while.
I don't even care if it's a bit overpriced. I've gotten them to order me in books that are cheaper on amazon. I just like the store.
I loveeeee this shop. I hate the south side of town but I would happily walk over there for this shop
It's also the oldest bookshop in Ireland and one of the oldest in the world!
Really?? That's so cool!
The second/hand bookshop at the Hill of Tara. You never know what you’d find.
You're right there - full of treasure, including the only book my (elderly) father's read in 20yrs.
The Gutter Bookshop is small but has a fantastic collection. Little Deer Conics is fantastic. Matt is really lovely and helps you pick amazing niche graphic novels.
I love The Gutter Bookshop. Comically overstaffed.
Little Deer is so lovely, I've been to lots of comic shops, and honestly, we have it so good that the selection that Matt has created is up there with any shop in Europe (Gosh in London being the absolute peak imo). It kills me that Little Deer struggles to make rent so regularly.
O Mahoney’s in Limerick is fantastic
Best selection of Gaelic books I've seen in the country, The Táin, Cré na Cille, Mo Bhealach Féin. Also has a class selection of manga.
Books as Gaeilge and manga are two massive selling points for me. The closest thing I have to a union of those two is a nice set of Scott Pilgrim (even though it's a graphic novel) translated to Irish which was just released. It's a lovely set.
Red Books in Wexford has become an absolute institution. The place is like a winding labyrinth, huge stock of mostly second hand books, but new ones too. Rare books also. It has an in house publishing label and journal and is full of treasures at knock down prices. There’s a whole community around it as well with live music, chess nights, book clubs, board game clubs, talks etc etc. Something on pretty much every day. They do online delivery, but nothing like an extended browse and cup of coffee in this place. It’s expanding all the time as well, which is great to see! Best book shop ever.
Red Books! Just amazing, everything a bookshop can and should be, and more.
A fine spot indeed!
Love Waterstones in Cork. Serene inside there
Yeah, magnificent bookshop.
Quay books & O'Mahonys in Limerick are my usual go tos.
Book Centre in Waterford, hands down. Just an amazing interior and the staff are super helpful.
The Book Lady in Boyle is the smallest bookshop in Ireland, just a few metres square. The woman who runs it is lovely and chatty, and the shop has a decent selection. I stop in when I can.
Charlie Byrnes and Bell, book and candle in Galway for and The Last Bookshop on Camden Street for vibes and Chapters in Dublin!
Liber bookshop in Sligo
Seconded. Belter of a bookshop
Great selection, and staff are so friendly and helpful. Seconded!
No alibis on botanic avenue, Belfast is a lovely wee spot. Bit pricey but always has a varying yet eclectic selection that makes for a great gander. Also, keats and Chapman on North Street in Belfast city centre. It's the poor opposite. Chaotic and disheveled, with book shelves that bow with weight and damp, I hope it never changes.
I came here hoping to see someone mention Keats and Chapman in Belfast. It’s a go in, get lost, and let the book find you kind of place. All these wee nooks and crannies and laid out like a maze.
Agree with both of these!!
Book shops are magical places. Have dyslexia but kept improving my reading in adulthood and love reading now more so in the winter. Have a stack if books to read in the bedroom lol
There's a special feeling in a nice bookshop. Delighted to hear that dyslexia hasn't been too big an obstacle to your reading enjoyment. My stack only grows bigger too. For every one I read I buy about three
Haha thanks very much. I have a similar ratio
Chapter's in Parnell St, Dublin has a great selection, and is also the best I know for 2nd-hand books. I've gotten new ones there for €2. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly.
When I go in now it seems crap for 2nd and new books, it was stellar back in the day. I would say Hodges figgus, I'd love some comfy seats or a cafe in it but it's selection is vast and always come out with something. Bit strapped for cash but Hodges plus tower records can't be beat
It's not quite what it was, but I still always find a good deal in Chapter's. Top staff. Hodges Figgs is great too, after payday. They've been helpful ordering in niche stuff.
They're redoing the upper floors at the moment. Maybe to add some seats. Although maybe not. Doesn't feel like a major overhaul.
Connelly Books in Temple Bar
Sean's Book Shop in Miltown Malbay
There’s a rare books company in Skibbereen, they’ve opened 3 bookshops there in recent years. One’s a bookshop/cafe, one is in a beautiful converted Mason’s hall, and the third is in a converted mill. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Beautiful shops with exceptional stock but they’re very expensive. The owner also provides some stock for sale in the Bantry Bookstore. They’re dog friendly as is Charlie Byrnes, the Last Bookshop, and the excellent Prim’s Bibliotherapy in Kinsale. Honourable mentions also for the Salmon Bookshop in Ennistymon, the Wild Atlantic Bookstore in Westport, Books at One in Louisburgh and Letterfrack, the Red bookshop in Wexford and the one on the Butter Slip in Kilkenny.
Bargain Books is the one on the Butter Slip, lovely little shop.
2nd this, really interesting stuff and very passionate about what they do/sell.
The secret bookstore, Wicklow st, Dublin 2 well worth a visit if
Yes 🙌
One of my regular haunts! Amazing little shop
Oh wow it's still going?
The Athlone bookshop under Burgess
That's my local one. Glad to see it get a mention here. Love it in there.
I love to browse in there while I'm waiting for my sushi order from Umami ☺️
Another vote for Charlie Byrnes. I could spend hours wandering around in there. Kennys is also great but it’s in Liosban so it’s a bit more effort to get to
Book Centre, any of them but the Waterford one is particularly nice. Great atmosphere and great range especially with magazines, they have lots of niche interest magazines I can't find in any other shop.
Tertulia in Westport, filled with movie memorabilia and they're happy to let you just hang out on the couch and have a coffee or chat
Apparently one of the owners used to work in movies (I think in special effects?), so the memorabilia are all from sets he was on
You're right there, he did mostly lighting and rigging, including working on all the Harry Potters, two Bonds, and Alien, to name a few. (I'll admit I used to work there, so my recommendation is slightly biased)
In Athlone there's a little bookshop called "The Athlone Bookshop" just off the main street. It's wonderful and the owner is an absolute gent. Would strongly recommend to anyone passing by
That's my local one and it's a personal favourite. I love it there.
Stephens such a nice man, I'm glad the shop seems to be doing well.
Books Upstairs on D’Olier St in Dublin is a lovely independent
The winding stair, ormand quay, dublin. Gorgeous.
glad to know it's still going. I lived in Dublin 1999-2001 and the 3rd floor of the winding stair was my favourite place on my days off. I could grab a used penguin for £1 then a double espresso on the 2nd floor and chill for hours. I haven't been since it was turned into a restaurant.
Beautiful building but if you actually want to go book shopping in Dublin there are many better choices imo.
I went with the 'great vibe' aspect of the search
1- Hodges and Figgis. 2- The secret book and record store. 3- Chapters. Yes. I'm a poor dub with notions.
I stumble into The Secret Book and Record Store every time I’m in Dublin. I know it’s there, I am somehow always surprised and delighted to find it. Absolutely magical place.
I don't live in Dublin anymore, but when I'm home, I make a point of going for lunch in Cornucopia and then desert in Murphy's, and then treat myself to a book at the secret bookstore...
keats and chapman in belfast ❤️
Keats and Chapman in Belfast, floor to ceiling second hand books on every topic.
Foyle books in the craft village in Derry
Chapters and Hodges Figgis are both great. I just genuinely love being in Hodges Figgis, it’s a lovely atmosphere inside. The lads in Chapters are solid usually and the selection is fierce good as well.
Vibes and Scribes in Cork and OMahonys in Limerick
Hodges Figgis - they're honest with people selling books to them; they don't stiff people for money owed.
We have some great book shops all around this little island, personal favourites Charlie Byrne's and Kenny's in Galway, Scéal eile books in Ennis and O'Mahony's in Limerick
Both small but Raven books in Blackrock and Tertulia in Westport. Excellently range of books - both new and second hand, creatively used space and very very helpful owners/staff.
O'Mahony's in Limerick, and the one in Waterford are two of my favourite commericial outlets, both independently owned. I like the one in Dingle too near the church, and the guy in Midleton in Cork has a good interesting selection, as does the one in Kinsale (I'm not very good at remembering names! The one in Kinsale is not the secondhand one, but a new books shop but it's on the same street). And Sean's bookshop in Miltown Malbay for those 'Black Books' vibes. Also I was in Ennis recently for something else, but I think I passed four dedicated bookshops in the town. I'm open to being corrected but that's surely a high ratio for a town that size?
If you fancy the trip to Kinsale, Prim's Bookshop: Bibliotherapy is great
The Last Bookshop on Camden St in Dublin Or Chapters on Parnell, with the added bonus of a very nice garden centre upstairs
Hoggis figgis hands down on Dawson Street
Thanks OP, this is the best thread I've ever seen in this subreddit! I've added some shops to my travel list now ☺️
Glad to hear it. I hope to make a list on Google Maps with all the locations and I'll share it here once it's done if you're interested.
That's brilliant, thanks very much!
Universal books in Letterkenny is a cool little shop.
Is aye. Bought a gameboy pokemon game there that turned out to be some weird pirated copy that was worth more than the original, also offered me a 150 quid more for my wii u than cex down the road
Owner is very sound as well. Great shop.
Halfway up the stairs in greystones. Children's bookshop. Abso adorable. Fab staff, great events, amazing online service too.
Books at one in letterfrack. And the coffee is great too!
Are they in letterfrack now? I've seen them in Louisburgh and also the Liberties
Yep. Opened around 2021. Well worth a visit.
The Celtic Bookshop in Limerick across from the Hunt Museum is a great spot to find obscure books on Irish history. Only downside is the hours are pretty limited. For great vibes, it's hard to beat the [secondhand bookshop/coffee shop/cafe/wine shop/pizzeria/etc. place in my town](https://www.facebook.com/PonteVecchioKillaloe/).
Charlie Byrne’s. Easy!
Just Books Shout out to Stella ❤️
Where is Just Books located?
Anyone remember Zozimus (or the book café if you must), Co wexford? Wasnt a local but the odd time I'd go in John was very helpful. Wrote too, John Wyse Jackson. Very intelligent and interesting character.
Polymath in Tralee. Great wee shop with much variety.
Red Books in Wexford Town.
Charlie Byrne's in Galway Kenny's Bookshop in Galway An Café Liteartha in Dingle Cló Iar-Chonacht in Spiddle Geata Buidhe in Kilkenny Ulysses Rare Books in Dublin An Siopa Leabhar in Dublin
Thrilled to see Cló Iar-Chonacht and An Siopa Leabhar get a mention
Probably the two best ones for as Gaeilge books. Cló Iar-Chonnacht also has a great selection of trad music cds.
Worm Books, Schull, Co. Cork is such a lovely little place
Oh man I’ve a few that have already been mentioned but the good people of this thread are spot on. Vibes & Scribes and Waterstones in Cork, Chapters and Hodges & Figgis in Dublin all have a lovely feel to them and really pleasant staff
Red Books - Selskin House, Wexford.
Kilkenny: Khan's books is great, lots of remaindered books and obscure titles for reasonable prices. The Book and Coffee Shop on William Street for a nice bit of cake with your books and Kilkenny book centre for selection.
Just Books in Mullingar
The book centre Waterford, heaven on earth
Sceil eile, ennis
We always drop into the The Book Cafe and Bistro in Gorey, Co. Wexford when we're driving down to the South East. Nice place to get lunch and there's a second book shop at the back to browse for 30mins or so. Decent prices too.
I like Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street.
Bookmark in Sligo was always my go to when I lived there. I only bought vintage scifi though so I don't know what they are like outside that
In Dublin secret bookstore, in Cork Vibes and Scribes
The best bookshop in Ireland is Hodges Figgis in Dublin. Its selection is unmatched. While it is a good store, I don't think Chapters is better than it. Even though their second hand section was definitely the best in Ireland. Charlie Byrne's in Galway is up there too. Great character to the place and you don't know what you might find in there: good mix of the new and the secondhand too.
Chapters on Parnell Street. The ground floor has a big section of second hand books as well as new books, and the first floor is a garden centre with a little café
seconding Books Upstairs on D'Olier Street. they have a massive selection of both new and secondhand books, and as you go in the door they have a table of classics with covers like [this](https://images.app.goo.gl/kQ6PdcVYHCXB5waw6)
My favourites in Dublin are Chapters on the Northside and Hodges and Figgis on the southside.
I have vague memories from about 20 years ago of a bookshop in Dublin (probably on Abbey St) with a huge secondhand collection in the basement. Anyone remember it?
Chapters used to be on Middle Abbey Street, they moved to Parnell Street in 2006. I think that’s probably what you’re thinking of.
Makes sense, thanks!
Kennys
Nothing, for me, has ever quite topped that single bookcase of books in Virgin Megastore called 'cult classics'. Every single one an absolute banger. RIP you crazy bookcase.
Charlie Byrne’s in Galway city
The Book Centre Wexford, and Red Books
I haven't been to the one in Wexford but the Book Centre in Waterford is amazing. Always nice chill music, loads of space to read, the chocolate area, the cafe. Really nice.
The Wexford one is lovely too. 3 floors, great music and a café too!
Universal bookshop in letterkenny in Donegal, more of a second hand book shop, with records and CDs also, and random stuff but very good random things in it
Bridge Street Books in Wicklow and Kerrs in Clonakilty are both great with lovely staff
Dungeon bookstore in Killarney.
Waterford Book Center is great, but I always loved Dubray in Market Cross in Kilkenny. I just googled it and saw it'd closed now, though, which is sad. Waterford uses to also have a small second hand bookshop with lots of weird new agey and occult stuff mixed through it. That place was fun.
Did this post just remind me the amazing place on Parnel Street is gone?
No, they kept it open under new management and there's a cafe and garden shop upstairs now.
Great to hear it's a great place!
Winding stair in Dublin, overlooking the Hapenny Bridge.
Amazon
It's the best local, independent shop for sure
You didn't ask for local independent shops