Our Story

A bookshop with history.

Bridge Street Books was opened in November 1999 by owner Hilary and is now co-run by her daughter Joanna.

Set in an old house, the shop is made up of 4 rooms, with lots of little nooks and crannies- we aim to be a browser’s paradise and offer a wide selection of backlist titles in all genres, alongside a comprehensive, up to date selection. Many customers return to us again and again, trusting us for recommendations, not only for their own reading, but also for gifts. We have won 3 book awards since 2012 (see our awards below).

In addition we provide a special order service for all books, including college titles.

Our passion is to make sure every customer finds the book that inspires them or takes them to another world. We all read a diverse range of newly published books and take the time to chat, to understand a customer’s reading wishes before we recommend.

Our aim every day is to ensure that the shopping experience in our shop is the best possible, that every customer leaves with a book in hand and a smile on their face.

Awards

Ireland’s most awarded bookshop.

Bridge Street Books is the only bookshop in Ireland to win all Irish book awards. Voted for by customers and independently judged by mystery shoppers, the Irish Book Awards are the most prestigious in the industry.

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2012

Bord Gais Energy Bookshop of the Year

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2014

Irish Times Bookshop of the Year

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2022

An Post Bookshop of the Year

The Team

Us

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Hilary

Founder

Opened the shop in 1999 as she always wanted to have her own bookshop! Hilary says she gets so much enjoyment and pleasure from reading and she just wants to share that happiness with others. Outside reading, her passions are gardening, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. She loves good, well written fiction, the occasional biography and her favourite authors include Maggie O’Farrell, Elizabeth Strout, Patrick Gale and Elif Shafak. Hilary widens her reach of titles by also listening to Libro audiobooks, whilst driving.

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Joanna

Co-Founder

Started working in the shop in 2006, with the intention of staying 6 months and forgot to leave! When not running after her 2 children, she enjoys sea swimming, being outdoors and listens to Libro while running. She enjoys reading a range of children’s books, alongside thrillers, good, well written fiction and the occasional non fiction. Her favourite authors include Jane Harper, Sarah Crossan and Barbara Kingsolver

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Lauren

Bookseller

Lauren joined the team in 2023 but had been a customer for many years before. Aside from reading, you can usually find her at a concert, playing with her beloved dog or listening to audiobooks on Libro while drawing/painting. Lauren enjoys a good thriller, translated Japanese fiction (especially involving cats!) and the occasional biography. Some of her favourite authors include Andrea Mara, Mai Mochizuki and Kate Alice Marshall.

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Ailis

Bookseller

Joined us in 2020 and has since returned to college. She enjoys horse riding, hiking and nature. A fan of fantasy books, she loves Sarah J Maas, Maggie Stiefvater and Shauna Lawless and any nature books!

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Hilary and Joanna both listen to audiobooks on Libro.fm. Support an independent bookshop however you read.

Bookclub

Join our bookclub.

Bridge Street Books runs a bookclub, which meets on the last Tuesday of every month, in The Brass Fox at 8pm. More details on the books we have read, and the book for next month, can be found here.

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Last Tuesday of every month · 8pm · The Brass Fox

Join The Bookclub