This Dublin Bookshop Was Named the Best in Ireland and the UK

While its popularity among the bookworms of Dublin has long been evident, the store was given a major seal of approval across the Irish Sea in early May 2017, winning Independent Bookshop of the Year (UK & Ireland) at the 2017 British Book Awards in London. It is the first Irish bookshop to earn the title.

Speaking to the Irish Times newspaper after the win, owner Bob Johnston said taking home the award came down to ‘a bit of luck, a hell of a lot of hard work and a good team who love books’. According to The Irish World, the judges credited the shop with punching ‘well above its weight’, praising its service, book selection and welcoming environment.

From a bright, spacious space on the corner of the trendy Cow’s Lane – and at the Dalkey sister store – Bob aims with The Gutter Bookshop to offer something entirely different than the major bookshop chains, pointing readers towards works they may not otherwise come across. He and his staff do this exceedingly well, posting persuasive recommendations beneath their favourite books and running no less than five book clubs a month.
Bob can now continue his mission happy in the knowledge that all of his hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.