Alan Hanna’s Bookshop is a great little nook of Rathmines. Sort of reminds me of a ‘Little Shop on the Corner’ kind of place. This particular time I went in to the café in the back for a meeting. Some lovely seating areas, great cakes and a hot cup of tea. I love the little teapots they have there.
John James B.
Tu valoración: 5 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The only place I buy books in South Dublin! Friendly vibe, great book knowledge from the people working there. It feels really old worldly and non clinical like other bookshops, and they have a resident dog walking around! The coffee shop is friendly and the chai lattes are really good. I particularly love the smell of the teas they have brewing on the counter. It was my number one bookshop when I was in college — not sure if it still sells college books now though. Worth a look around anyway!
Rashel W.
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
In short — cozy, with stacks of books making literal towers of intellect along the floor. The staff were knowledgeable & helpful — the kind of people you’d probably want at your next pub quiz — and I bought a couple short story collections with their respective blessings. It only needs a couch, kettle, & friendly cat to feel like home(well, my literary dream home, anyway).
Annie L.
Tu valoración: 4 London, United Kingdom
It is a modest bookshop but what wins it for me it the very friendly and knowledgeable shop owner. He didn’t make me feel small when I mispronounced the author’s name as sadly a lot of other places would. He swiftly took me to my section and I left with two books of my favourite author. Happy days.
Dave H.
Tu valoración: 4 Cork, Republic of Ireland
Rathmines should count itself lucky to have a bookshop Hanna’s. Indie bookshops aren’t exactly goldmines, so it’s really appreciated when they go to as much effort as this place. There’s a massive selection(it’s sort of like that warehouse at the end of Raiders of Lost Ark). The staff is helpful and friendly. And their displays are really well thought out, so they’ll always have something to tempt you. Oh, there’s also a dog. He’s usually snoozing away in the back, so keep an eye out for him.
Steinunn J.
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
This shop is a bit of chaos, but at Alan Hanna’s, chaos is good. Chaos means that they are just trying to offer as many exciting titles as possible, and who cares that the space is limited. There are too many must-reads out there waiting for you to dig into. And there is order in the chaos. The stuffed shelves are marked with Irish history, biographies and bestsellers, art, travel, fiction and academic textbooks etc. What I find especially great about Alan Hanna’s is the good selection of children’s books for all ages you’ll find in the back. From ABC picture books for beginners to educational and fun novels that will encourage the love of reading. Science-fiction buffs are also in for a treat here with the array of action-packed titles to choose from.
Kelly T.
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
This book store is great. They’ve got so many books stuffed into the little shop that they’re stacked all the way up to the ceiling. They also carry books that you wouldn’t necessarily find in some of the chain stores, which is why I always pop in there just to see what they’re stocking. As an Irish historian, I don’t usually have trouble finding books that I need carried in most stores, but it seems that Alan Hanna’s has a particular love of historical texts. They usually have books that haven’t been in print for some time, or that wouldn’t be flying off the shelves, but are still vital for my research. I also have to condemn the staff, they’re always super nice and so very willing to help. There was a book I didn’t see on the shelves, and the guy behind the counter looked up it in their stock log, then he rechecked the shelf and when we finally couldn’t find it, he offered to order it for. Very thorough indeed!
Aoife R.
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
This shop extends backwards a good way and has a great selection of fiction, art, architecture, politics, Irish history, children’s and school books. It’s not the tidiest shop in the world, but this is fine in a book shop, in fact, it gives you a sense of achievement when you unearth a gem from behind a packing crate. Wonderfully, there seems to be a shop dog(I believe it is an Airedale terrier but I’m open to persuasion) with its own cushion down at the back of the store — when I was in one of the staff members was taking him out for a walk. A friendly, independent Irish store that has kept its own identity — certainly one to be celebrated.
Ciara K.
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Great little independent bookshop in the heart of Rathmines. There’s some real bargains to be found here, and there’s always a few gems to be found that make great gifts for anyone with a special interest or hobby. There’s a particular focus on Irish books here, but they also have a great selection of media, photography and film books too, the best of which are displayed in the front window.
Jo M.
Tu valoración: 4 Sydney, Australia
The best thing about Alan Hanna’s Bookshop is the resident DOG at the back of the store. Apparently this guy is here every day, just hanging out, and he is really friendly to all who pass his way. So I think I’ll make a habit of popping in to say hi to the cute brown dog. Sorry, I have no idea what type he is, but he looks like an overgrown poodle! Having left my dog on the other side of the world I often feel the need to hang out with one, so I’ll adopt this one as my new pet. As for the books at Alan Hanna’s, well, to be honest I spent more time with the dog, however it is a massive store with a huge range, and not too badly priced, either. There are some quirky titles like ‘I used to be Irish’ and ’30 days has September’(a guide to memorising important things!) so the place definitely deserves a better look. I know I’ll be back in there soon…
John S.
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Another Irish independent bookshop which is great to see especially with Hughes & Hughes and Easons always expanding. This shop has been a feature of Rathmines since the 70’s and is still going strong. Hannas as well as being a very well stocked and organised bookshop, also supplies Libraries and this branch is well knowing to school kids and frustrated parents alike as the main place to go for next years textbooks. The shop is pretty much one big room with ceiling to floor books. They specialise in Irish books and the staff and helpful and extremely knowledgeable.
Ciara3
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
I really like the Alan Hannas Bookshop in Rathmines. Although it is quite small I always find the book I am looking for at a very reasonable price!
XL
Tu valoración: 4 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Although a little cramped, this bookshop has everything necessary to make it the old reliable. As you enter the shop, rows of books greet you, and you know you could find anything from Harry Potter to something nobody has heard of! Anything from travel to business is here. Down the back of the shop, there is a school books section. This is well stocked and will accomodate your needs. Rather than having to trall through all the books, if you just hand in your book list, they will have the books ready for collection and covered(€ 1 extra a book) in a few days. They sell Junior and Leaving Certificate papers and all sorts of copy books, hard and soft back. Have any old school books you don’t need anymore? Alan Hannas will buy these off you, or give you a discount on the price of your new school books. You can order books online. The shop is near Tesco and the Swan Shopping Centre, so you can get some other shopping done on a visit.