About Chester Beatty Library Shop
Tucked away on Shrewsbury Place, just a hop from Merrion Square's eastern edge, the Chester Beatty Library Shop enchants with its global collection of rare books, prints, and cultural treasures. This world-class library, boasting UNESCO-recognised manuscripts, houses a shop that's a bibliophile's dream in Dublin's embassy quarter. Wander from Merrion Street's Georgian facades into a space brimming with Islamic art books, Asian illuminated texts, and European bindings. The air carries whispers of ancient silk roads, mingling with the square's fresh park breezes nearby.
What to Expect
Shelves overflow with exquisite facsimile editions, scholarly tomes on calligraphy and printing history, plus affordable postcards, bookmarks, and jewellery inspired by the collections. Staff, versed in Eastern and Western traditions, guide you through highlights like Persian miniatures or Japanese woodblocks. Free admission draws diverse crowds, from academics to families, creating a vibrant yet serene vibe.
Insider Tips
Visit during their free tours for context, then stock up on gifts; their notecards are hits back home. Pair with a Merrion Square ramble to the Aviva Stadium or Baggot Street cafes. Look for seasonal pop-ups with rare prints. Early mornings suit quiet browsing; Sundays get lively with families. If into crafts, snag kits for origami or calligraphy. It's steps from the Grand Canal, ideal for reflective reads by the water.
This understated gem near Merrion Square bridges continents through pages, a must for discerning Dublin explorers.