Secondhand bookshops, post details here

r3nu4l · 25-07-2007 3:29pm #1

Since I first joined boards in Jan 06 I've seen a few threads asking about secondhand bookshops so I figure, why not have a thread soley dedicated to secondhan bookshops/market stalls/charity shops located all across Ireland.

Here's the three I know of in Ireland.

Dublin
Chapters - Parnell Street
Don't know the name of it - Corner of College Green/Dame Street/Grafton Street

Tipperary
The Shook Book - The Square, Cahir.

What about you? Know of any you can list here?

emmakelly2 · 25-07-2007 4:48pm

There is a little secondhand bookshop on Talbot Street. I think they also have secondhand academic books for all levels, so quite good.

uncle ernie · 25-07-2007 9:26pm

letterkenny: Universal Books at the bottom of the main st.

Dunlaoire: Readers on the main st.

Dublin: The Secret Book & Record Shop on Wicklow street

eclectichoney · 25-07-2007 9:46pm

Dalkey: The Exchange, Castle Street
Sandycove: Eamonn's Bookshop - Sandycove Village

Photi · 25-07-2007 9:47pm

Waterford City - The Book Stop, The Quay

Tar.Aldarion · 26-07-2007 11:02am

Galway
http://www.charliebyrne.com/
Few more but can't remember names.

hupyago · 29-07-2007 2:03pm

galway : the bell book and candle outside of the city centre
sligo: the bookmart on the mall

nesf · 30-07-2007 3:48pm

Cork: Vibes and Scribes on Bridge St (just up the hill from Patrick's Bridge). Always worth popping into for a quick look. Sometimes you can find very interesting stuff in there. They've two new shops on Lavitt's Quay (I think that's the name of it, it's just down along the quay from the Opera house anyway at the "back" of Paul St). They're mostly for new stuff or art stuff though. Second hand stuff is downstairs in the Bridge St. shop.

lady_j · 30-07-2007 5:15pm

Dublin : Rathmines Books

luckat · 01-08-2007 12:41am

Rathmines is crawling with them. My favourite is a couple of doors up from the old Stella cinema; you have to go upstairs to get to it.

In Wicklow Street, off Grafton Street, there's a great one called The Secret Book and Record Store. You go along a long twisty Alice-in-Wonderland passage to get to it.

backdraft102 · 17-08-2007 12:18pm

Cork : VIbes and Scribes. What a selection. They take all books that they think will sell and I got a copy of "Ghost Plane" for a lot less than it's retailed to sell at. It was originally 18euro and they bought it back for 2euro and sold it for 6euro.
The Lavitt's Quay branch only do new sales and they re-direct you to Bridge Street if you try to sell them books.

Connolly's bookstore. They're next to Tesco on Paul Street and have a great selection of everything from English Literature to Languages at great prices and they buy aswell if the title will re-sell. I got "Accidental Diplomat" from them ( and lost it somewhere ). Great read, the few pages I did get to finish. Quaint shop run by a husband and wife.

Uneeda: A shop that sells books, DVD's, CD's and old records, this place has shelves of old and newer titles. The easy reading and sci-fi titles stick out but there's something for everyone. Located on the Grand Parade end of Oliver Plunkett Street.

Liam Russell's Bookshop: This shop is green and stand out further down Oliver Plunkett Street by Centra and the bargains are to be found upstairs. You will find a lot of school/college books here but it's to be expected.

Mainly Murder : This place is located heading towards the Crawford Gallery from Tesco's and I've never been in but it does exaclty what it says on the sign.

University College Cork: They have a book shop by the Bank of Ireland in the Student Centre. College Books, naturally!

You'll also find a shop in the arcade next to Burger King on Patrick's Street. Head to the end where you'll find the entrance into the English Market and the shop is on your left as you go in. Well worth a browse.

Youghal: Head along the street towards the tower that goes over the street and there's a second hand shop on the left. I only went in once but I could still be there today there were so many good books.

Cork City Library : Go in the door to the downstairs section and there's a wheelbarrow on the right. This is a great idea where you can leave any books you don't want and if you see something you like, you can take it away. I got some great books in there. You can also join the library for free books.

I have ten books waititng to be read. I got Tim Moore's "Nul Points" where he goes looking for all the people who got no points in the Eurovision to see what they've made of themselves. Very good. I'm trying to read a book called "Master Sniper" that I found in the Library barrow.

Johmo.

fiona_bob · 24-08-2007 3:34pm

Navan: Bookwise, Metges Lane
This is beside the cinema, only upstairs are second hand and its quite small but its the only place in the town that sells them as far as I know

johnnyskeleton · 24-08-2007 5:41pm

Dublin: Greens of Clare street (between nassau st and merrion square opposite the pav in trinity) sell really old hard back books for peanuts. Only thing is, you never know what you're going to get. A lot of their books are crazy (e.g. a 100 year old collection of Goethe in german gothic script for €20)

The winding stair was great for a coffee and a quick read, but I think that it's been refurbished and is more of a fancy resteraunt now and the bookshop part is just for show.

regob · 20-10-2007 1:17pm

the only one i no is a little place called the bookshop which is in carndonagh town centre Co. Donegal

Mr. Bones · 22-10-2007 12:29pm

- Chapters on Parnell Street
- Small shop further along on Parnell street, past the UGC cinenma, just before you get to Capel Street
- Oxfam bookshops in Phibsboro, Rathmines, Parliament street, South Georges St.
- Secret Book & record Shop
- Small one in the arched laneway in Temple Bar across from the Hapenny Bridge, it's upstairs over a tiny record shop
- Weekends, there's stalls on the square in Temple bar selling second hand books.
- one of these stalls was from a second hand bookshop in Dundrum, up a laneway off the main street, across from the old shopping centre, not sure if it's still there though
- almost all charity shops have a selection of books as well

genie · 09-11-2007 8:19pm

Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim: Trinity Rare Books. Has antiquarian/rare books/maps/local history books but also has a good selection of second hand books.

http://www.iol.ie/~nickk/

The Liber Bookshops on O'Connell Street in Sligo used to do second hand but now sells cheap paperbacks (€4.99) as well as full price books.

The charity shop in the Wine Street Carpark in Sligo also has a small selection of second hand books.

Fooz · 09-11-2007 8:29pm

Most of the charity shops (Gorta, Concern, Enable Ireland, etc) will have a small selection of books but are worth checking out. I regularly get books in my local charity shop (a Mrs. Quinn's for the blind) for 50 cent each! Once I finish them I donate them back.

DublinWriter · 10-11-2007 7:37pm

Books Upstairs, College Green

Books Upstairs really doesn’t fit into either the second-hand or charity category. It’s sells new books, mostly remainders, so it’s reasonable if you want to go buy first-hand books. It has a large selection of fiction and Irish Interest books and also has specific gay and lesbian sections. Worth a visit.

Georges Street Arcade

There are three secondhand book stalls/shops in the arcade. The two stalls sell mainly cheap and cheerful paperbacks, while the shop has a great selection of hard to find and out-of-print Irish-interest books.

Wexford St./Redmonds Hill/Camden St.

This area has perhaps the biggest concentration of charity shops in Dublin.

Coming from the Georges St. exit of George’s St. Arcade, take a left and proceed directly up. If you walk from there right up to the Bleeding Horse at the top of Camden St. you will come across the following shops:

- Servite (closing down soon)
- The Carmalite Centre (located in the large church)
- Irish Cancer Socirty
- St. Vincents
- Enable Ireland
- Age Action (quite a large selection)

Oxfam (Dublin Central)

There are two Oxfams in Dublin Central, one on George’s St and another on Parliament St. The one on Parliament St. is well worth a visit as it specialises in just books and music.

In general, Oxfam are quite clued up on the real value of second-hand books since the mid 1990’s when they let quite a number of rare books that fetched thousands individually at auction through their shops for 50p each.

These days they properly assess the value of any of antiquarian book that get donated to them!

Capel St.

Crossing over from Parliament St. over the Liffey, we come into Capel St. Here we have:

- Irish Cancer Society
- Enable
- Casa
- Goodwill Thrift Shop
- Gorta

Blackrock Market

Many of the stalls in Blackrock Market deal in secondhand books, mainly paperbacks. However, the casual vistor to the market would be forgiven for bypassing the main bookshop in the market as the way the market is laid out tends to take people away from it. This shop is located in the main market building and up the steps facing you as you stand just in the first courtyard entrance. It is located in the room directly on the right and has many out-of-print and rare Irish-interest books.

Howth

Two book sellers operate out of Howth, both setting new remaindered and second hand books. The first is located in the Sea-Scouts building at the top of the West Pier. There are also a couple of dealers who operate from the Old Courthouse.

REPSOC1916 · 13-12-2007 10:04pm

Here are some good stores in Cork City

Vibes and Scribes(Obviously) - Bridge Street - Great Selection especially in Philosophy and Science.

Connoly Bookstores - Paul Street - Usually a lot of drugged out metalheads outside the shop. They wont harm you.

Mostly Murder Bookstore - Paul Street

Waterstones - Patrick Street

Liam Russell - Oliver Plunkett Street

nomadphase · 28-01-2008 1:55pm

Mr. Bones wrote: »

- Chapters on Parnell Street
- one of these stalls was from a second hand bookshop in Dundrum, up a laneway off the main street, across from the old shopping centre, not sure if it's still there though

that one was Taney Books, and is no longer there. It used to have a great selection. One of the guys there also worked at the Secret Bookstore so there may be a connection.

There is another good bookshop in Blackrock which is well worth visiting.
It is on the right hand side of Newtown Avenue as you are walking out of Blackrock.

Valmont · 03-02-2008 9:37pm

The one above the record shop (?) in the temple bar alley that leads onto the Haypenny bridge. I've found a good few books in there.

hailtothechimp · 17-02-2008 3:35am

Limerick: The "Little Catherine Bookshop" in, er, Little Catherine St is terrific. I was just there today listening to Kevin Barry read from There are Little Kingdoms.

Couches, tables and chairs to sit and read on/at. Coffee too.

rowlandbrowner · 26-02-2008 1:53pm

r3nu4l wrote: »

Since I first joined boards in Jan 06 I've seen a few threads asking about secondhand bookshops so I figure, why not have a thread soley dedicated to secondhan bookshops/market stalls/charity shops located all across Ireland.

Here's the three I know of in Ireland.

Dublin
Chapters - Parnell Street
Don't know the name of it - Corner of College Green/Dame Street/Grafton Street

Tipperary
The Shook Book - The Square, Cahir.

What about you? Know of any you can list here?

they dont seem to have a fixed name, the only clear sign says "book shop". its a great shop though, staff are friendly and if they have an interest in the book you are buying they will usually have a chat to you about it, got some great recommendations from them.

r3nu4l · 07-04-2008 12:31pm

r3nu4l wrote: »

Tipperary
The Shook Book - The Square, Cahir.

Unfortunately, this place is no longer trading.

de breeze · 29-04-2008 10:57pm

Up to about 5 years ago I used to holiday a fair bit in west cork and there were a number of 2nd hand bookstores in places like Skib, Clon, Skull and Bantry. It seemed as if this had the makings of a bit of a cottage industry and was certainly part of the cultural scene in the area.

Unfortunately I'm out of touch nowadays but just wondering if anyone could list some of those that are still going?

Also there is the 'book town' movement now international but started I believe in Hay-on Wye. I read somewhere that Graiguenamanagh was on the way to booktown status...anyone have any info or update on this aspect.

kurenai · 27-06-2008 1:53pm

Limerick: Phil's Bookshop, 14 Anne Street. It's a bit difficult to find but Phil can recommend almost any book to your tastes.

gogo · 05-07-2008 1:40am

G & B's Books, down the alleyway across froms shaw's in Portlaoise. Also if you buy a book from there, leave the price sticker on and if you bring it back, they will give you half the price you paid for it off another book, i.e book costs a fiver, they will give you two fifty of another. Its great idea.

Also seen bookshelfs out in the recycling centre on the mountmellick road, Portlaoise - lots of books left there and going for free, another great idea.

MadamMe · 07-07-2008 12:36pm

University stalls are always pretty good for cheap second hand books, or online shops/swapping platforms. There is of course, always the library!

orchidsrpretty · 12-07-2008 8:58pm

Greystones Co.Wicklow

not sure of the name but there is a second hand bookshop in greystones behind the happy pear, they usually have a good selection of books

Leanan Sidhe · 14-07-2008 12:02am

Wexford Town:

There are two second-hand bookshops as far as I know in Wexford town:

"Readers Paradise". Its down the road from the council offices on the left, just before you come to Dunnes. As I am still new to Wexford I am not sure of the name of the road, sorry. I think its called Selskar st?
They haven't got a bad selection of books.

Another one is "Bargain Books", its in Lowneys Mall on South Main st. However, I mostly go to the first one I listed because I think they have a better selection. Just my opinion.

Bray:

There is one second hand bookshop in Bray called Town Hall Bookshop, located on the florence road. Has a great selection on local history too. So check it out if you are into that sort of thing

There used to be a great one down in fatima terrace beside Anvil's in Bray but alas its gone

Dun Laoghaire:

There is a good second hand bookshop that I always venture into whenever I am out there. Its 86 Lr. Georges st. beside a Christian Bookshop called "Footprints". I think its called "Readers Bookshop" They have quite a varied selection.

Hope this helps

down_escalator · 11-08-2008 5:35pm

Wexford Town:

There are two second-hand bookshops as far as I know in Wexford town:

"Readers Paradise". Its down the road from the council offices on the left, just before you come to Dunnes. As I am still new to Wexford I am not sure of the name of the road, sorry. I think its called Selskar st?
They haven't got a bad selection of books.

I loveReaders Paradise! The prices are great and the amount of books crammed into that little shop is mind blowing

fil6162 · 29-08-2008 11:16pm

Hi, there is a great one behind the Happy Pear in Greystones - can't remember the name - Ann who owns the shop will buy back the books sold in her shop at 50% of price.:)

jcsmum · 16-10-2008 11:05am

The Dungeon (College Street)

Dr Jan Itor · 04-12-2008 12:35am

Dublin City:

Just off O'Connell St on Abbey St, directly across from Easons, think its called Bookworm, quite good!

KyleBovine · 16-12-2008 1:16am

In Cork I found the Irish Cancer Society shop to be full of gems on a regular basis. It's good for Penguin and Oxford classics, half of my collection comes from that shop. Their pricing varies a good bit.

zesman · 13-01-2009 4:48pm

The Winding Stair beside the Hal'penny Bridge in Dublin has a a good selection of second hand books in at the back of the shop.

mac123 · 15-02-2009 4:51pm

Does anyone know of a shop in or around dublin that will buy second hand college books for cash?

Denerick · 06-03-2009 2:32pm

Chapters is a great shop! Its secondhood floor is bloody fantastic, an anoraks wet dream!

Anyone know of any shop in Dublin that has a good range of history books, apart from Hodges and Chapters? Thanks.

fattestman · 18-03-2009 6:59pm

Anyone know of anywhere I can sell secondhand college books online in Ireland?

I've tried Amazon but they only allow sales within the UK.

Denerick · 18-03-2009 7:58pm

Check ebay. I've gotten a lot of reasonably priced books second hand there. There are a surprisingly large amount of books for sale there, especially the more obscure ones.

fattestman · 18-03-2009 10:33pm

Denerick wrote: »

Check ebay. I've gotten a lot of reasonably priced books second hand there.

Cheers, but I had them up there already without much success.

Denerick · 07-04-2009 8:41am

findabook.ie

Does second hand college books, by students for students. Only 400 books or so up tho

If it ever really takes off then it could be great.

Denerick · 12-04-2009 12:18am

I joined bookmooch today. Seems a great book swapping service, pity there aren't more Irish people on it though. All you pay is the postage costs, you earn points and 'buy' books from other users who post them to you. Whoever came up with it is a genius!

singhal2 · 20-05-2009 4:54pm

does anyone know of a secondhand book shop in cork that sells school books,

thanks
singhal2

fattestman · 20-05-2009 5:04pm

singhal2 wrote: »

does anyone know of a secondhand book shop in cork that sells school books,

thanks
singhal2

There's a place by the side of the courthouse next door to the Courthouse pub (can't think of the name of it for the life of me).

There's also that place on down from O'Sullivan's Quay called the Book Shelf.

fattestman · 20-05-2009 5:15pm

Just realised how my last message makes me sound like a Southern American hill-billy.

For the record, I am not a hill-billy. A culchie perhaps but not a hill-billy.

I'm doing my exams...my brain's fried...leave me alone!

niall3r · 28-05-2009 8:47pm

charity shops rock and sometimes you can get some great deals for a lot less than even second hand book shops.

plus amazon and the bookdepository.

Denerick · 28-05-2009 8:51pm

awesomebooks.co.uk is by far the best in the world. The.best. bookshop.ever.created.by.man.

not bakunin · 07-06-2009 12:49am

charlie byrnes in galway! how many happy hours have i cashed in there..hmm....

also, Young's Interesting Books in westport. does exactly as it says on the tin. interesting.

janelovestravel · 01-08-2009 1:11am

nesf wrote: »

Cork: Vibes and Scribes on Bridge St (just up the hill from Patrick's Bridge). Always worth popping into for a quick look. Sometimes you can find very interesting stuff in there. They've two new shops on Lavitt's Quay (I think that's the name of it, it's just down along the quay from the Opera house anyway at the "back" of Paul St). They're mostly for new stuff or art stuff though. Second hand stuff is downstairs in the Bridge St. shop.

Love that place, great quality of books and always helpful staff, cannot reccommend enough, easy to find what you want.

ReacherCreature · 01-08-2009 6:35pm

Denerick wrote: »

awesomebooks.co.uk is by far the best in the world. The.best. bookshop.ever.created.by.man.

Fully agree. Nearly every book is 1.99 pounds and shipping's free.
2nd hand books galore.

Really like this site.

Secondhand bookshops, post details here

Comments