One Bookish Day in Dublin
How I spent my 24 hour layover visiting as many bookstores as I could (along with the stunning Book of Kells Experience and more!)
Hi! I’m Hayley, your bookish travel gal. I put hours of research into all my trips to make sure I visit the best places I can!
I started my travel Instagram (@bookmoretravels) in May of 2024. And while my insta content focuses on more bookish and nyc- I wanted another space to share all the fun places I go to!
Today I want to share more about my bookish 24 hours spent in Dublin. We really fit so much into this day! Read on for all the amazing bookstores, experiences and food I enjoyed.
Ireland- I will be back soon!
The Bookstores in Dublin
There are over 15 local bookstores to visit while in Dublin- read on for all of them!
Alan Hanna's Bookshop | 270 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 C8Y8, Ireland
Books Upstairs | 17 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Cozy three story cafe with a lovely cafe to sit and enjoy. They have a variety of new and used titles!
Chapters Bookstore | Ivy Exchange, Parnell St, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 P8C2, Ireland
My favorite bookstore of the day! It’s part used books, part plant shop, and part cafe. The amount of used books they have is truly insane and the prices are a bargain!
Dubray Books | Two Locations in the City
This Irish book chain is still family owned. The one near Trinity College is the one I shopped at- it’s three levels with a cafe at the top!
Eason | Multiple Locations
Chain bookstore for books, stationery, magazines and more.
The Gutter Bookshop | Cow's Ln, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, D08 DK27, Ireland
This local bookstore is located in the center of the historic Temple Bar. A great selection of new titles.
Hodges Figgis | 56-58 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 XE81, Ireland
Dublin’s oldest bookstore! This well known bookstore has four floors and a large selection of Irish centered books.
Marrowbone Books | 78 The Coombe, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 RKP4, Ireland
A bit out of the city center but worth a visit for their eclectic mix of used and local interest books!
Stokes Books | 19 Market Arcade, South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, D02 P049, Ireland
A tiny antiquarian bookshop located in the George Street Arcade. With a interesting selection and knowledgeable staff!
Temple Bar Bookshop | 2 Cow's Ln, Temple Bar, Dublin, D08 WV08, Ireland
They buy and sell books, so their selection is always rotating! Only opened Friday, Saturday and Sunday though!
The Company Of Books | The Company of Books, 96 Ranelagh, Dublin 6, D06 A4A9, Ireland
The Last Bookshop | 61 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 VY17, Ireland
The Library Project | 4, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 YK53, Ireland
Ireland’s art bookshop- a collection of books from all over the world.
The Secret Book and Record Store | 15A Wicklow St, Dublin 2, D02 Y765, Ireland
There is a secret entrance to this store full of used books and records (hence the name!) You will have to hunt a bit for the treasure!
Ulysses Rare Books | 10 Duke St, Dublin 2, D02 AD78, Ireland
The go to spot for antiquarian books in Dublin. A truly unique and curated collection of rare and antique books.
Other Favorites from Our Day in Dublin
The Book of Kells Experience | Trinity College
This stunning library should be on every book lover’s bucket list. Not only do you see the stunning book of Kells in person- but you can walk through the grand library as well. While a lot of books are off the shelves and being refurbished in a decade long project, it was still so awesome to see all the rows of wooden shelves with that huge globe spinning above your head. Truly spectacular!
Xi’an Street Food Dublin | Multiple Locations
A trip to Dublin is not complete without a spice bag. The name is descriptive - a bag full of spices along with french fries and chicken. We ate in and it was served on a plate- for the full experience order it to go!
Davy Byrnes | 21 Duke St, Dublin, D02 K380, Ireland
A pub frequented by James Joyce and mentioned in his book “The Dubliners”! You can grab a pint at this place for literary history!
The Winding Stair | 40 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5, Ireland
Dublin’s bookshop cafe. Yummy food with stunning water views on top of a bookshop.
OMMA / matcha, tea & treats | 48/49 Clarendon St, Dublin, D02 AC89, Ireland
If you are looking for a spot to get a quality matcha drink- this is it! Very yummy!
The Temple Bar Pub | 47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 N725, Ireland
Probably one of the most famous pubs in the world. Live music all day and pints of Guinness (or my preference, an Irish coffee) are flowing. Make sure to visit the James Joyce statue!
Dublin Writers Museum | 18 Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin, D01 T3V8, Ireland
The place to go to learn more about the rich local literary history of this UNESCO recognize literary capital!
Want to know more about the literary history and places of interest in Dublin? Check out this website for even more!
Want this guide as an interactive map? Members of my bookish travel community get it for free, along with all my other digital guides!
