Dublin Bookstore / Books Upstairs

I sat down this morning to write about our time in Croatia a few weeks ago and I just couldn’t do it. I’m ready to be back in Dublin for a minute and writing about Dublin feels much less stressful. So this is the perfect time to introduce you to one of the most beautiful restored Georgian buildings in the city. Books Upstairs relocated a few months ago from their longtime spot in College Green to D’Olier Street and you can’t miss it when you’re walking by.

D’Olier Street isn’t particularly beautiful or colorful, so the blue facade of Books Upstairs with its intricate gold detailing and stained glass windows practically jumps off the brick at you. There’s a space just across the road that’s getting a makeover, too, so I’m hoping D’Olier street is getting a bit of a facelift!

Books Upstairs’ new space has a bookstore on the ground floor, focusing on the best of Irish literature as well as the best of international literature. I chatted with owner Maurice Earls, who told me the store is book oriented, rather than best-seller oriented, and it’s pretty hard to argue with that. They have the whole building, so there’s a cafe on the second floor, the Dublin Review of Books, and even an event space. 

The cafe is probably the most stunning – in the sunshine the light gleams through the original stained glass windows. I wish more than anything that they had ripped out that red carpet, but the wainscoting and funky artwork go a long way to make up for it. 

A lot of the posters are Maurice’s personal collection – his daughters have given him artwork over the years and it has made its way to these walls. He said some of the prints are from This Greedy Pig, a Dublin creative agency. When I tracked them down, it turns out their shop is closed because someone broke in and stole all of their inventory last week, which is horrible. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the reopening of their shop because that print in the top photo is a hoot – they illustrate passages from great literary works and each of them cracked me up. 

Can you even get over the pattern and texture on the walls? I know you want to touch it right now.  Books Upstairs has a wonderful collection of Irish literature, if you’re visiting and books are your fave souvenir, this would be a great stop for you! And obviously, locals can park it in the cafe with a great book from one of our favorite Irish authors and relax in that gorgeous sunlight.

Books Upstairs / 21 D’Olier Street / Dublin 2

p.s. Here’s another, more literary review of the bookshop and cafe!