Are you looking for the best bookstores in Dublin?
Dublin, Ireland is a designated UNESCO City of Literature. This title often comes as a surprise to visitors who come in quest of the country’s famous pub culture or the expansive green countryside. It is a fitting designation, though, since Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, and Seamus Heaney are just a few of the famous writers that called Dublin home.
In Dublin, it’s almost impossible to take a stroll through Trinity College without remembering one of the characters who inspired Sally Rooney’s international bestseller, Normal People, or to avoid passing a statue of Oscar Wilde.
With its abundance of literary works and famous authors, Dublin is the site of numerous literary celebrations and competitions. The city has also produced four Nobel Prize winners in literature. Irish people are also known to have a genuine genetic disposition toward reading.
Here’s our list of the best places to buy books in Dublin if you find yourself in the mood to dive into a nice book after exploring the city.
Things you'll find in this article
12 Best Bookstores in Dublin
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1. Alan Hanna’s
Address: 270 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 C8Y8
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This delightful establishment is one of the best Dublin bookstores, and also features a coffee shop. It is owned and operated by the fourth generation of a local family that has been providing residents of the city with a variety of reading materials for many decades.
There are rows upon rows of titles, many of which concentrate on Ireland or Irish-related topics, that stretch forward and upward in a sea of information and culture.
You can find Alan Hanna’s in the wealthy suburb of Rathmines, which is a bit of a walk from the main part of the city that is frequented by tourists.
However, if you are interested in seeing a side of Dublin that is less commercialized, the trip may be worth the journey.
2. Books Upstairs
Address: 17 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2
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Two friends with a shared love of books opened Dublin’s oldest independent bookstore, Books Upstairs, in the space above a former furrier in 1978.
They’ve been in business for nearly 40 years and have moved about quite a bit before settling into their current digs, a Georgian building on D’Olier Street.
The bookstore has recently expanded, and the new second floor no longer houses books but rather a cafe. You won’t find any wi-fi or electrical gadgets at this establishment, as it is intended for people to meet and converse over a good book.
If you’re wondering where the books are, be assured that you’ll find a wide selection of titles in a variety of categories on the first floor.
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3. Chapters Bookstore
Address: Ivy Exchange, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
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The welcoming scent of books fills the air as you enter Chapters, Ireland’s largest independent bookstore.
Just off O’Connell Street, on Parnell Street, you’ll find one of the most popular bookstores in Dublin that has everything from out-of-print classics to hot new releases. There is a good possibility that they will have what you need in stock.
What’s even better? The upper floor is dedicated to used books sold at steep discounts.
The helpful staff is always ready to point you to if you can buy the book you want at the lower level.
4. The Company of Books
Address: 96 Ranelagh, Dublin 6
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The Company of Books is a bright, contemporary Dublin bookstore that features works from a wide variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books.
The location in the hip neighborhood of Ranelagh helped this shop thrive when it first opened in 2009. From the heart of town, it just takes 15 minutes via bus or tram to get to their doorstep.
Customers are encouraged to participate in a monthly book club, and the store has a pleasant, laid-back vibe. Just by asking a question about their inventory, you’ll quickly see that the tiny team of employees they have truly loves what they do.
Among the best features of this bookstore is the charming book evaluations written by young customers. See for yourself by clicking the link below!
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5. Dubray Books
Address: 36 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
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All around Ireland, you may find the Dubray Books branch, which is run by the same family for three generations.
One of the most popular bookstores in Dublin, Dubray has locations in Stillorgan, Dun Laoghaire, Blackrock, Dundrum, Liffey Valley, Rathmines, and Grafton Street. It is staffed by knowledgeable booksellers that go above and beyond to satisfy customers.
Over 30 years, the Bray, Co. Wicklow bookstore expanded to become one of Ireland’s largest independent book chains. The branch in Grafton Street is an excellent place to spend an afternoon, as it houses many shelves of carefully selected books.
6. The Gutter Bookshop
Address: Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
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Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar is home to The Gutter Bookshop ever since 2009. The South Dublin site of this indie bookstore first opened its doors in 2013.
If you can’t seem to track down what you’re looking for, or if you’re just tired of the same old options, you could find what you need among their offerings.
There are several ongoing events and book clubs that keep the bookstore bustling. Even if the book you’re looking for is out of print, they will do their best to track it down and order it for you if you can’t find it.
This kind of customer service is just one of the reasons why Gutter is among the most popular bookshops in Dublin.
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7. Hodges Figgis
Address: 56-58 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 XE81
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Hodges Figgis is one of the largest Dublin bookstores, with three stories (and a basement) full of fantastic books. This store takes pride in having the largest Irish book selection in the world.
If you’re a bookworm, you’ll want to spend a good portion of your day browsing the three levels of this bookstore.
In addition to books, they also sell a wide variety of other items, such as cards, puzzles, stationery, and gifts.
8. International Books
Address: 18 Frederick St S, Dublin 2, D02 EK75,
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International Books is a bookstore that can be found on South Frederick Street. It sells a variety of books written in a wide variety of languages, including French, Irish, and many more. You can find both fictional and nonfictional books, as well as books are written just for children.
They also have a variety of books that you can use to learn a new language, along with many different study guides and resources.
These are available, for example, for people who are interested in learning English as a second language.
9. The Library Project
Address: 4 Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 YK53,
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The Library Project is a bookstore that can be found in the heart of the Temple Bar neighborhood in Dublin. It is known for being an absolute utopia for hipsters.
When it comes to stacking and organizing their collection of books, The Library Project takes a novel approach by arranging the books on tables that are pushed up against the walls.
The proprietors of the business have referred to the facility as being one for “visual culture and critical thought.” During your time in Dublin, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to stop by this one-of-a-kind bookstore.
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10. The Secret Bookstore
Address: 15A Wicklow St, Dublin 2, D02 Y765
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The Secret Bookstore, located on Wicklow Street, is likely one of the most poorly guarded secrets in all of Dublin! This locally owned and operated bookstore has been in business for many years, and it is open seven days a week, selling the latest titles. It is also one of the top places to buy used books in Dublin.
They take great care in selecting each of the thousands of books they make available for purchase, as it is their mission to deliver quality reading.
Every week, they feature a different book as their “book of the week,” which is an excellent chance to pick up a quality book at an already affordable price.
11. Ulysses Rare Books
Address: 10 Duke St, Dublin 2, D02 AD78,
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Ulysses Rare Books, formerly known as Cathach Books, is the premier antiquarian bookshop in Dublin. It is managed by individuals who are deeply devoted to the bookselling industry.
Their goal is to serve their customers with a service that is both competent and pleasant. This Dublin bookshop’s location, which is charming and cozy and ideal for appreciating that book scent, helps readers achieve that goal.
12. The Winding Stair
Address: 40 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5
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The Winding Stair Bookshop is one of the oldest independently owned bookstores in Dublin. One can’t miss it while strolling on Ormond Quay.
In addition to the traditional storefront that they maintain, they also have an online presence from which they sell a selection of their items.
This Dublin bookshop stocks a wide variety of books, some of which focus on Irish history and culture.
If you’re not sure what to read next, the helpful and educated personnel there can also recommend books from their personal collections.
In addition, customers can choose from a selection of Winding Stair Bookshop merch, which includes items like journals and tote bags.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.