The Best Bookstores In Cork, Ireland

Vibes and Scribes on Corks’ Lavitt’s Quay is one of the city’s most popular shops, loved for its bargains and the diverse range of subjects covered by its book selection. On the shelves here you’ll find the newest fiction and non-fiction bestsellers as well as rare second-hand books. But their stated forte is art, design and photography publications, and they stock a wide assortment of graphic novels. This award-winning bookshop runs a monthly book group that’s open to all – their next meet-up in November will focus on The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale.

Eason and Son – known in Ireland simply as Eason’s – is one of Ireland’s most successful retail book chains. It was established in 1819 by the British company W.H. Smith, and bought out by Charles Eason and his son in 1886. Today, their St. Patrick’s Street store in Cork is one of 60 outlets across the country. An expansive store with an up-to-date collection of the latest and best books, they always have price reductions on certain items, and with an Insomnia café upstairs, a booklover could easily spend a happy few hours browsing here.

Uneeda bookshop has been a part of the Cork retail scene for over 50 years. Selling second-hand books, CDs and vinyl records, this family-run store on Oliver Plunkett Street is part of the fabric of the city, having remained nearly unchanged over its five decades in business. Tiny but overflowing with charm, a visit here is like stepping back in time.

The Waterstones Store on Patrick Street runs regular events and book-signings, and stocks a wide variety of novels, non-fiction and reference books. Though they are a British chain, the Cork outlet – established in 1988 – places a strong emphasis on Irish writers, collating displays of works by up-and-coming Irish authors and hosting events in partnership with independent publishers from Cork, such as The Collins Press.

This specialist store will appeal to dedicated collectors, holding an impressive assortment of first edition and signed rare and out-of-print books in subjects from Irish literature to botany and gardening. Unlike some second-hand bookshops, their shop is bright, airy and tidy – making it all the easier to find a one-of-a-kind gem to bring home. If you can’t get to Cork, they offer free worldwide shipping for orders over €60.
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