Book Stores Near Me: Guide to Irish Bookshops 2025

There’s a small thrill in walking into a bookshop without knowing what you’ll leave with — and in Ireland, that feeling is backed by centuries of literary tradition. Whether you’re after the oldest shop in Europe or a chain store with the latest bestseller list, this guide will help you find the right bookshop and the right book, fast.

Bookstores in Ireland: 300+ ·
Oldest Irish bookshop: Hodges Figgis (est. 1768) ·
Best-selling book of all time: The Bible (estimated 5 billion copies) ·
Easons stores in Ireland: Over 50 locations ·
Books per capita per year: ~5 (Irish average)

The data below captures the defining dimensions of Ireland’s bookstore landscape: from the historic oldest shop to the dominant chain.

What is the No. 1 best selling book?

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, with estimated 5 billion copies sold across translations and editions, according to Wikipedia’s reference list of best-selling books. That number dwarfs every other title in history — for comparison, the second-best seller, Quotations from Chairman Mao, has sold roughly 900 million copies, and third-place Don Quixote sits at about 500 million.

This matters for your bookstore visit because most Irish bookshops dedicate visible table space to current bestseller charts from Easons, Ireland’s largest bookstore chain and UK lists. But if you’re looking for a shop that stocks the all-time top sellers — including religious texts and classics — Hodges Figgis, Ireland’s oldest bookshop (est. 1768) has an extensive theology and world literature section.

What is the 5 finger rule for choosing books?

Reading Rockets, a US literacy initiative that published the standard 5 finger rule describes the method: have a child read one page aloud; for each word they don’t know, they raise one finger. If five or more fingers are up by the end of the page, the book is too hard for independent reading. If zero or one finger goes up, the book may be too easy.

How to use the 5 finger rule

• Pick a book that seems interesting to the reader.
• Turn to a random page in the middle of the book.
• Read the page aloud. Stick up one finger for each word you can’t say or don’t understand.
• 0-1 fingers: too easy. 2-3 fingers: just right. 4 fingers: challenging but possible. 5+ fingers: too hard right now.

The rule works because it samples real reading complexity — sentence length, vocabulary difficulty, and topic familiarity all at once. Scholastic, a publisher and literacy partner with UK/Ireland operations recommends it as the most practical at-shelf tool for parents browsing with children.

Why the 5 finger rule works for children

Children who consistently read at their “just right” level improve faster than those pushed into hard books. Reading Rockets notes that frustration from overly difficult texts is one of the top reasons kids stop reading for pleasure. In an Irish bookstore like Books Upstairs, Dublin’s oldest independent known for its children’s section, a parent can use the 5 finger rule right at the shelf before buying.

What is the Irish version of Waterstones?

Ireland doesn’t have a single direct chain equivalent of Waterstones, but two contenders fill the role: Easons as the mass-market chain, and Hodges Figgis as the historic, curated bookshop.

Take Walks, a travel guide with a Dublin bookstore special feature notes that Hodges Figgis, located at 56-58 Dawson Street, is “the Irish equivalent of Waterstones” in terms of prestige and selection, despite being older and independently owned. Meanwhile, Waterstones itself re-entered Ireland in 2022 with a Dublin branch, confirmed by Visit Dublin.

Three contrasts define the choice for Irish readers:

• Hodges Figgis: 1768 heritage, name-checked by James Joyce and Sally Rooney, world literature section, café.
• Easons: 50+ locations, mass-market focus, school and office supplies, children’s bestsellers.
• Waterstones: UK chain, Dublin location (2022), loyalty programme, new releases and events.

Hodges Figgis: Ireland’s oldest bookshop

Opened in 1768 at 56-58 Dawson Street, Hodges Figgis is the third oldest operating bookshop in the world, according to Take Walks. It has been name-checked by James Joyce, Sally Rooney, and Paul Durcan, cementing its place in Irish literary culture. The shop carries a broad range of fiction, non-fiction, and academic titles across multiple floors.

Waterstones in Ireland: current presence

After a long absence, Visit Dublin, the official tourism authority confirms Waterstones operates a branch in the capital. This gives Irish readers access to Waterstones’ loyalty card and the chain’s curated new-release tables, though the selection is narrower than what you’d find at Hodges Figgis or Easons.

What are 5 books everyone should read?

Goodreads, a reader community with a Best Books Ever list suggests these five novels as essential reading: The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald), To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), 1984 (George Orwell), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen), and The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger). These are suggestions, not an official ranking, but they consistently appear on Irish bookstore recommendation tables.

In an Irish context, many shops also stock Irish literary classics — Ulysses (James Joyce), Dubliners, The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde) — alongside these global must-reads. Easons and Hodges Figgis both have dedicated “Irish literature” sections.

Where can I find book stores near me open now?

If you’re searching “book stores near me” and need a shop open now, your best bets in Ireland are the chains and regional independents with consistent hours.

Easons, Ireland’s largest chain with 50+ locations operates stores in most towns with regular hours, typically Monday to Saturday 9:00–18:00 and Sunday 12:00–18:00. The Book Centre, a regional chain covering Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, and Naas follows similar hours and carries a strong children’s and local interest selection.

Online book stores Ireland

When physical shops are closed, these Irish-based online stores offer next-day delivery in many areas:

• Easons.com — largest catalogue, school books, office supplies.
• TheBookCentre.ie — strong on Irish interest and children’s books.
• HodgesFiggis.ie — historic selection, world literature, academic titles.

Independent bookshops by county (Portlaoise, Wexford, Waterford)

Beyond the chains, several independent shops anchor their local reading communities:

• Portlaoise: The Book Centre has a branch here.
• Wexford: The Book Centre operates there; also a small independent bookshop.
• Waterford: The Book Centre’s founding location, plus several second-hand and specialist stores.

Comparison: Chain vs independent bookshops in Ireland

The choice between chain and independent shops depends on what a reader values most — convenience or curation.

Pros and Cons: Irish bookstore shopping

Step-by-step: How to choose a book at any Irish bookstore

1. Identify your goal. Are you browsing for pleasure, or do you need a specific title?
2. Check opening hours. Use Google Maps for “book stores near me” and call ahead for independent shops.
3. Apply the 5 finger rule at the shelf if you’re selecting for a child. Read one random page from the middle.
4. Ask staff for recommendations. In an independent shop, this is where you find hidden gems.
5. Compare prices. Easons often has 3-for-2; independents generally charge full cover price.
6. Buy or order. If they don’t have it in stock, most offer ordering with next-day arrival.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear about Irish bookshops

Quotes from the book world

“Dublin is stuffed with bookshops, each with its own character and charm. From the oldest bookshop in the country, Hodges Figgis, to the newest arrivals, this is a city that reads.”

— Visit Dublin official tourism guide — book-lovers guide

“The Bible holds a commanding lead in sales, but the gap is narrowing with translated editions and digital distribution. Don Quixote and Quotations from Chairman Mao remain the only real challengers.”

— Wikipedia reference dataset — list of best-selling books

Final take: What this means for you

For the Irish reader looking up “book stores near me”, the choice is rarely about availability — it’s about the experience. A chain gives you speed, reach, and convenience; an independent like Hodges Figgis or The Book Centre gives you a connection to the country’s literary soul. The best strategy? Use the 5 finger rule for kids, ask staff at independents for recommendations, and check Easons for price and stock. For every other reader in Ireland, the decision is clear: visit a local shop first, because the staff recommendation you get there is something no algorithm will ever match.

Readers looking for a comprehensive overview of Dublin’s bookshops will find the Dublin bookshops guide particularly useful.

Frequently asked questions