Books Upstairs Celebrates a Decade on D’Olier – and Bookseller of the Year
Books Upstairs, Dublin’s oldest independent bookshop, this February marks ten years at its D’Olier Street, city-centre home – in the same month its manager, Louisa Earls, has picked up the O’Brien Bookseller of the Year Award for 2025.
Earls, whose father Maurice founded the business in 1978, was named Bookseller of the Year at the annual Irish Book Trade Conference, run by Bookselling Ireland and Publishing Ireland. The prize, sponsored by the O’Brien Press, was awarded for “leading her dedicated staff by example”, “run[ning] an important shop with modesty and warmth”, and “go[ing] the extra mile every day to keep the shop exciting, surprising, and new”.
About Books Upstairs
Founded in 1978, Books Upstairs has remained an independent, family-run business across each of its city-centre locations: South King St, George’s St Arcade, College Green and now 17–18 D’Olier St.
Louisa Earls joined the business started by her father in time for the move to its current home, a well-preserved Georgian building with a striking Victorian Oriel window. In this location the father–daughter team added a literary café as well as children’s and second-hand sections, and began hosting book launches, talks, and other events. Authors who have performed there in recent years include Claire Keegan, Sebastian Barry, Paul Murray, Paul Muldoon, Elaine Feeney, Louise Kennedy and Paul Lynch. It is the location of the new Writehawks series hosted by broadcaster Rick O’Shea.
Over the past ten years under Louisa Earls’s management, Books Upstairs has become a destination in the heart of Dublin, well-regarded for its eclectic stock, knowledgeable staff, literary events and loyal community of customers that includes many of the leading Irish authors of today.
Louisa Earls says:
“It is such an honour to receive the O’Brien Bookseller of the Year for Books Upstairs, in our tenth year on D’Olier St. In this space we have been able to realise so many dreams for the shop, as well as things we could never have dreamed of. I am very lucky to have absolutely amazing colleagues and I want to give a big shout-out to everyone who has worked so hard to develop Books Upstairs over the years. We love dealing with wonderful Irish publishers, authors, and above all customers, who have helped us try new things, hone old things, and generally just seem to get the sort of shop we’re trying to be: a truly inclusive and welcoming space that makes a contribution to the cultural life of our city.”
