Galway is home to some of the most incredible and unique bookshops in Ireland. You can spend hours strolling through the shelves of these Galway stores, finding heaps of best sellers, classic literature, and rare finds. From non-fiction to poetry and everything in between, check out the bookstores in Galway to find your next read! If you’re anything like us, you love getting lost in a bookshop so check out our favourites right here!
Kennys Bookshop & Art Gallery
Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery really is an iconic Galway institution. As one of the city’s many beloved independent bookstores, Kennys has been providing people all across the world with new, secondhand, and rare literature. They are currently located in Liosbán Retail Park, and in their shop walls are lined with hundreds of books. Their online shop is also loaded with nearly 1 million new, used/secondhand and rare books and what makes it all so much better it that they offer free delivery all orders in Ireland, talk about a sweet deal! They also provide a service in Irish - is féidir séirbhís a fháil trí Ghaeilge le Kennys. Kennys frequently welcomes authors to Galway to introduce their new work to the Galway audience to discover more about their upcoming events please tap here.
Liosban Retail Park, Tuam Road // more here
above: photo courtesy of Kennys Bookshop
Books at One
This independent Galway bookstore is located just on the edge of Connemara National Park and run by husband and wife team, Vincent Murphy and Mary Ruddy. Offering a wide range of books, this shop is no doubt a must see spot for readers! Not only does Books at One stock its shelves with incredible literature, the shop is also known as a community centre. They regularly host literary events in the The Yard @ Books at One, where you'll find their fabulous bench that is decorated with quotes from Irish literary giants (see below). A unique destination in Connemara we highly recommend you pay it a visit!
5 Ellis Workshops Letterfrack, Connemara / more here
above: photo courtesy of Books at One
Charlie Byrne's Bookshop
Perhaps one of the most beloved and iconic book stores in Galway, Charlie Byrne's Bookshop is a wonder of a shop. With new, secondhand, and rare books stacked up almost to the ceiling, you’ll be sure to find something (or a few things…) of interest at this shop! The store is so vast you could spend hours wandering through browsing their immersive selection of things to read. Truly a book lover's paradise and we highly recommend spending an afternoon here checking out the vast variety of literary classics on the shelves.
Cornstore, Middle St / more here
above: photo courtesy of Charlie Byrne's
Moycullen Bookshop
The beloved local Moycullen Bookshop is another must go spot for book lovers. Not only do they have an amazing collection of books for sale, they also sell toys, gifts, cards and stationery! This beautiful store will introduce you to different literary treasures, the bookshop contains an amazing curated collection of books along with maps, stationery, toys and art and craft materials. Ask the knowledgeable team for their recommendations and we can confirm that their suggestions will lead you to your next favourite book.
12 Main St, Moycullen / more here
above: Moycullen Bookshop, photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Bell Book and Candle
Found in Galway’s Westend, Bell Book and Candle is home to second hand books, music, and art. This one-of-a-kind shop is perfect for browsing, and you’re sure to stumble upon something truly unique! With a plethora of books and vinyls scattered throughout the store, you could spend hours looking through all of the incredible options. Cross the bridge into Galway’s Westend and get busy exploring!
Sea Rd, The Crane / more here
above: photo courtesy of Bell Book and Candle
Clifden Bookshop
In Connemara's capital, the Clifden Bookshop is a brilliant location to visit as it is filled to the brim with collections of Irish and international literature. No matter genre you prefer to read, chances are they have the perfect book for you. From guide maps, to new fiction, and memoirs, the Clifden Bookshop will get you sorted! Their website also has a diverse guide to some of their featured books. Be sure to pop in and purchase yourself a new read on your next visit out west. You miss them because as they say themselves they are the room with the books...
Main St, Clifden / more here
above: photo courtesy of Clifden Bookshop
An Tobar Nua
An Tobar Nua is a beautiful café and speciality bookshop on the canal in Galway’s Westend that provides the ideal coffee with a view experience. The bookshop here is called Bóthar Emmaus Bookshop and it offers a wide variety of Christian books, Bibles, biographies and life-help books. Its large selection of books, gifts and cards cater to all visitors and it is a one stop shop for all occasions whether it’s a birthday, Christening or Holy Communion.
25/27 Dominick Street Lower / more here
above: photo of An Tobar Nua, by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Literature is such a vital component to Galway. A huge aspect of Galway's culture is intertwined with story telling in all of it's amazing forms. There are so many local and international writers who draw inspiration from Galway. Every year Cúirt International Festival of Literature, celebrates Galway's diverse literary scene with an incredible prgramme of poetry, fiction, theatre, memoir, masterclasses, exhibitions and family events. To see what they have instore for the year ahead please tap here.
Feature photo courtesy of Kennys Bookshop
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