Secondhand · since 1978
A long-standing independent near Trinity College, mixing new titles with a secondhand floor. Its poetry and Irish writing shelves are among the city's best.
Irish writingPoetrySecondhand & new
Ireland
Bookshops in Dublin
The Atlas lists 35 independent bookshops in Dublin, 6 of them selling secondhand books — including 2 antiquarian booksellers. The densest cluster offers 6 possible stops over an estimated 2.3 km; actual walking routes may be longer.
Unfolding the map…
New & secondhand
Founded in 1983, Ireland's largest independent bookshop over two floors of new and used books.
Step-free access
Antiquarian · since 1983
A tiny shop inside the Victorian George's Street Arcade, stacked floor to ceiling with secondhand and antiquarian books. Irish history and literature, philosophy and military history are the strengths, and the owner is usually on hand to steer you towards the right pile.
Irish historyIrish literaturePhilosophyRare books
Independent bookshop
A Ranelagh shop repeatedly shortlisted as Ireland's best independent.
Independent bookshop · 8 Cow's Lane, Dublin
Opened in Temple Bar in 2009, during the downturn, with a second shop in Dalkey.
Secondhand
Down a passageway off Wicklow Street, a short walk from Grafton Street, this shop buys, sells and swaps books on philosophy, poetry, history, film and Irish interest. Freebird Records shares the space, so the browse comes with a soundtrack of secondhand vinyl.
PhilosophyIrish interestRecords
New & secondhand · 40 Ormond Quay Lower, D01 R9Y5 Dublin
A riverside shop across from the Ha'penny Bridge, with a restaurant upstairs.
New & secondhand
Antiquarian · since 1969
An antiquarian dealer off Grafton Street specialising in Irish literature, with Joyce, Yeats, Beckett and their contemporaries in first edition. A short walk from the pub Bloom visits in Ulysses.
Irish literatureJoyceFirst editionsRare books
Independent bookshop · 270 Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · 6 Harcourt Street, D02 VH98 Dublin
Independent bookshop · Finglas Road, Dublin
Independent bookshop
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · 43 Essex Street East, D02 Y306 Dublin
Independent bookshop · Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · 36 Grafton Street, Dublin
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · 5-6 Crampton Quay, Dublin
Comics
Independent bookshop · 93a Morehampton Road, Dublin
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · 18 South Frederick Street, Dublin
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · Terenure Road North, Dublin
Independent bookshop · 100 Rathgar Road, Dublin
Independent bookshop · Mary Street, Dublin
ComicsStep-free access
Independent bookshop · 62-63 Sitric Road, Dublin
Independent bookshop · 8 Merrion Square North, Dublin
Independent bookshop · 101 Terenure Road North, Dublin
Step-free access
Independent bookshop · 41 Dawson Street, Dublin
Independent bookshop · 73 Talbot Street, Dublin
Independent bookshop
Independent bookshop
Independent bookshop · William Street South, Dublin
Independent bookshop · 43 Clarendon Street, Dublin
Bookshop questions: Dublin
- How many bookshops are listed in Dublin?
The Atlas currently lists 35 active bookshops in Dublin. This is the number in our directory, not a claim that every shop in the area has been recorded.
- Can I find secondhand bookshops in Dublin?
6 listed shops are categorised as selling secondhand books. Stock changes frequently; ask a shop directly if you need a particular book.
- Are the opening hours and accessibility details checked?
The Atlas displays available source information. A listing without opening hours or access details is incomplete, not necessarily closed or inaccessible. Check each shop's website and confirm anything essential before travelling.
- Can I plan a bookshop walk in Dublin?
Use the map and the crawl planner to choose stops close together. Displayed route distances are estimates, not turn-by-turn walking directions. Check crossings, hills, opening times and the actual walking route before setting off.
Plan a bookshop crawl- Can I add a shop or correct a listing?
Yes. Send the shop's name, location and a reliable website or other source. Suggestions and corrections are reviewed before changing the Atlas.
Suggest a shop
Shop data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence, with descriptions of featured shops by Creasy Spines. Opening hours change — check before a long journey. Suggest an edit