About Hodges Figgis
Hodges Figgis is Dublin's best known and oldest large bookshop, sitting on Dawson Street just a minute's walk from the north east corner of St Stephen's Green. Step inside and you still get that comforting bookshop hush; tall shelving, well-thumbed paperbacks, new hardbacks with crisp jackets, and a knowledgeable staff who can steer you straight to a forgotten classic or the latest Irish novel. Founded in 1768, Hodges Figgis has been the literary heartbeat for generations of students, locals and visitors. The main shop spans several rooms and displays a deep selection of fiction, non-fiction, history, academic texts and children's books. It is the sort of place where you can linger for an hour, find a book you never knew you wanted, then pop out to Grafton Street for coffee and people watching.
What to Expect
Expect a full, well organised store with dedicated sections: Irish writing, world literature, politics, travel, and a strong academic and humanities section that caters to Trinity College and UCD students. There are frequently book signings and local author events in the upstairs rooms, and the staff are practised at helping visitors find rarer titles. Prices sit in the mid range, with regular promotions and a good selection of second titles alongside brand new releases.
Insider Tips
Ask for the staff picks; the personalised recommendations here are excellent. If you want a quiet browse, visit midweek mornings; weekends are busier, especially when there is an author event. If you are touring St Stephen's Green, drop by after a stroll through the park and pick up a walking guide to Dublin; the travel section is surprisingly strong. For students, the humanities and philosophy corners often hold bargains; for collectors, the store sometimes stocks signed copies and special editions. The shop is very central, so pair a book purchase with lunch on Dawson Street or tea at the nearby Westbury Hotel.