Dublin is filled with bookshops and libraries, from historic institutions to independent favourites; Fashion Editor Marta Bueno Arcos explores some of the city’s essential literary stops.

By Marta Bueno Arcos | Sep 11 2026

When I die, Dublin will be written in my heart.” The famous words once attributed to James Joyce have been reawakened as Dublin becomes the fourth city in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Literature. From historic libraries to independent bookshops, Dublin is the ideal destination for anyone who would happily spend an afternoon browsing shelves looking for the perfect book.

One of the best places to start is Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street. Founded in 1768, it is not only Ireland’s oldest bookshop, but one of the oldest in the world,  which makes it a particularly fitting place to begin exploring Dublin’s literary heritage. Today, its four floors include a particularly strong selection of both Irish fiction and non-fiction as well as worldwide bestsellers. With a huge range of genres, they host regular events featuring both Irish and international authors.

A smaller establishment, Books Upstairs on D’Olier Street offers a very different experience. First opened in 1978, Dublin’s oldest surviving independent bookshop focused on literature, history, and politics, but also showcasing a collection of subjects and authors that were not as widely represented in Irish bookshops at the time. This included feminism, philosophy, psychology, and queer literature. It has a café upstairs and (ironically) the bookshop below, making it an ideal place to enjoy a new purchase with a coffee and a sweet treat.

Another bookstore worth mentioning is Connolly Books, Ireland’s oldest radical bookshop. Established in 1932, it houses a collection focused on genres which include Irish history, politics, feminism, environmental issues, and philosophy.

Another independent place worth a peruse is The Winding Stair Bookshop, another one of Dublin’s older independent bookshops. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it perfectly suited to browsing without a specific book in mind, with shelves covering everything from fiction and Irish.

Another independent place worth a peruse is The Winding Stair Bookshop, another one of Dublin’s older independent bookshops. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it perfectly suited to browsing without a specific book in mind, with shelves covering everything from fiction and Irish literature to poetry, art, gardening and cookery. It also stocks literary magazines and zines, adding diversity and variation to the typical titles available in most bookstores. The adjoining restaurant also has a long cultural history, having once been a meeting place for Dublin’s writers, musicians and artists.

Named after the famous Oscar Wilde quote “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars”, one underrated bookstore is The Gutter Bookshop. Its original shop opened on Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar in 2009, followed by a second location in Dalkey. Its selection is deliberately curated for the discovery of nicher titles that a reader might not find in the larger chains. The shop also hosts readings, book clubs and other literary events, making it as much a community space as a place to buy books.

If your ideal book is something a little more on the vintage side, Ulysses Rare Books is worth a visit. Its collection focuses on twentieth-century Irish literature, including rare editions by writers such as James Joyce, W.B. Yeats and Samuel Beckett.

This quaint bookshop is a reminder that Dublin’s relationship with books is not limited to contemporary releases; the city’s literary history can still be found on its shelves.

Chapters on Parnell Street is a good choice for anyone who loves the hunt for a bargain. Alongside new releases, the store has a large second-hand selection. The shop also hosts many events including book signings.

While admittedly more chaotic yet still absolutely charming, The Last Bookshop is another second-hand bookstore where thousands of books are organised neatly in bookcases and stacks, yet in no particular order. The bookstore is the perfect spot for a book-themed scavenger hunt, and looking through its shelves feels more like searching for treasure than book shopping.

Of course, no literary tour of Dublin would be complete without Marsh’s Library. First opened to the public in 1707, it is one of the city’s most fascinating historic spaces. Among its most famous visitors, Bram Stoker conducted research there before the conception of his famous novel, Dracula, back during his time studying at Trinity College. James Joyce also visited the library which he later mentioned in his novel Ulysses. Nowadays, researchers and book lovers alike are still encouraged to pop by.

Speaking of James Joyce (if the previous shoutouts to him weren’t enough), if our beloved JJ Library on the Belfield campus is just not quite the perfect reading and research space, then you must visit the National Library of Ireland. Its collection spans more than 12 million items, including Irish publications, newspapers and other media, making it an impressive destination for anyone wanting to explore the country's literary history.

What makes Dublin’s literary scene particularly enjoyable is that these places are so different. You might prefer a centuries-old library, a huge bookshop, a rare-book dealer or a second-hand bargain. No matter what, there is somewhere in the city that will feel made for you. Perhaps that is what makes Dublin such an ideal city for bibliophiles: there is no single way to explore its literary history. All you need to do is choose a starting point, leave some room in your bag, and see what you find.