12 December, 2024
Christmas Shopping Sorted: A Selection Box of Bookshops
As the seasonal stress starts to wrap us all up with worries of what to buy for whom and where to buy them all, we thought we would give you a roundup of some of the incredible independent bookshops on the island of Ireland.
Throughout this past year, our Opportunities & Competitions Blog (see our last one for December) highlighted one bookshop each month from Chapters, Books at One and The Book Centre to O’Mahony’s and The Winding Stair Bookshop. To finish off our bookshop visits for 2024, we have put together a selection box of gems from around the country. We are also including a little interesting or amusing fact about each one. Happy Christmas everyone, and remember, a book is not just for Christmas, the right book can be for life.
Castle Books, Castlebar, Mayo
Interesting Fact: Castle Books in Mayo are based in a building that is over 200 years old. One of the stairs is an original staircase and historians believe that it is the oldest staircase still in use in Castlebar.
The bookshop has been in Castlebar for the past 30 years, providing a platform for books about Mayo.
Castle Books, Castlebar, Castle Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Kennys Bookshop, Galway
Interesting Fact: The website www.kennys.ie is the oldest online bookshop in the world and the first online retail website in Ireland – launched in 1994.
They have nearly 1 million new, used/secondhand and rare books available on the site & offer free delivery within Ireland on all orders. They also ship books worldwide to over 120 countries annually.
Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries, Liosbán Retail Park, Tuam Road, Galway, H91 N5P8, Ireland
The Secret Bookshelf, Carrickfergus, Antrim
Interesting Fact: The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus is literally down a garden path.
This is more than just a bookstore; it is a haven for book lovers, young and old, seeking literary treasures and thoughtful gifts. Dive into a realm where stories come to life, and every visit promises a new adventure.
The Secret Bookshelf, 38 Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus BT38 7DP, United Kingdom
Bridge Street Books, Wicklow
Interesting Fact: Bridge Street Books is a family run bookshop which won three Irish Best Bookshop Awards over the last 10 years.
The building is full of nooks & crannies where you can hide while browsing their extensive range of books. If they don’t have a book you want, they will order it for you & text you when the book arrives.
Bridge Street Books, Bridge Street, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Tertulia Bookshop Westport, Mayo
Interesting Fact: Tertulia Books have a great Harry Potter Corner.
The mission of Tertulia is to contribute to a positive change in the way the world thinks. The vision of Tertulia is to live in a world where every story matters, to live in a world that understands that (our) stories are interconnected. It is this understanding that can help make our world a more equal society.
Terqulia Books, 2 The Harbour Mill, The Quay , Westport, Co.Mayo , Ireland
Liber, Sligo
Interesting Fact: Opened by the current owner Brian Caliendo’s grandparents in 1930, the Liber premises have remained in the Caliendo family for more than 90 years.
Liber also stock an eclectic range of music on Vinyl. They are involved with Record Store Day and feel that bricks and mortar music shops are an essential part of every town.
Liber, 35 O’Connell St, Sligo
Bookworm, Thurles, Tipperary
Interesting Fact: The Bookworm in Thurles hosts a weekly Grúpa Gaeilge where anyone is free to sit in and chat as Gaeilge even if they just want to brush up on the cúpla focail. They even have the odd singsong!
Children’s books are a huge part of the shop (taking up almost a quarter of their shelf space). They stock a great range of children’s titles to suit all ages from baby to young adult and their local interest section is also hugely important and very well stocked with a broad selection of titles relating to Tipperary or by Tipperary authors.
The Bookworm, 1 & 2 Parnell St Thurles Co.Tipperary E41 DK18
Roe River Books, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Interesting Fact: This is the 5th different premises for Roe River Books since they first opened their doors.
The Roe River is the shortest river indicating their commitment to in person bricks and mortar bookselling and not being a planet destroying oligarch. They stock a full range of books and pride themselves on being able to source just about any title our customers may require.
Roe River Books, 60 Clanbrassil street, Townparks, Co. Lough, A91 HR65
The Reading Room, Leitrim
Interesting Fact: The Reading Room have been in business since 2006 and believe fervently that there is a book for everyone if chosen carefully with knowledge of the person’s preferences.
They provide a professional, bespoke service that takes account of customer’s needs, interests and taste with a wide ranging and eclectic selection of books on offer with a personal service.
The Reading Room Book Shop, Bridge St, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
Dingle Bookshop, Kerry
Interesting Fact: Dingle Bookshop is the most westerly Bookshop in Europe.
After over 10 years happy bookselling, they have made the leap to online trading but are still instore to help you choose from amongst our 4,000 or so titles.
Dingle Bookshop, 2 Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland V92 RY6C
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