Tim B.
Yelp
While in Dublin, do as the Dubliners do... and how better to do that than to visit a bookstore within the city? We had been trudging the streets of Ireland's capital for three days when I realized that at some point I'd want to read more about it. I was a bit leery at first as to what I might find... would it be stuffed with leprechaun picture books, a la some tourist trap? Happy to say the answer to that question is a strong 'no'.
Actually, this bookstore reminded me a lot of what American bookstores used to be like before we made the transition to electronic devices, or in some cases, gave up on the idea of reading altogether. This location consists of three floors, with creaky stairwells connecting them. The main floor, as one might surmise, has the bestsellers prominently on display, complete with a Top 20 shelf. It also has a huge Ireland section, including a couple of shelves that appear to be an exhaustive catalog of Dublin's history, geography, economics, sport, real estate... you name it, it's there. But if your interests lie elsewhere, there is plenty to wetten that palette as well, whether it be history of other regions, philosophy, nature studies, sport, etc. I even found a copy of the book I was reading at the time, John Feinstein writing about the 2004 Baltimore Ravens! Small world indeed.
Well, I left the sport section alone, but did pick up three Ireland-specific books, including one where the writer, Paul Clements, climbs to the highest point of each of the country's 32 counties. Checkout staff was friendly - I even was served by one lady who had apparently spent a year in San Francisco's Sunset District (I was wearing a Giants hat). Dawson Street is happening too, so if you want to enjoy a coffee or stronger beverage after visiting, you won't have far to walk.