The Gutter Bookshop

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The?Gutter Bookshop is one of our favourite little hide-aways. It is an independent bookshop selling books, stationery and gifts and the way it makes you feel you have stepped outside the corporate, franchised feel of large book stores is the best thing about it. The name is taken from the famous Oscar Wilde quotation ?We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars? which sums up the imaginary and evocative worlds and words you get in lost in while browsing the shelves.

The Gutter Bookshop first opened on Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar in November 2009 and their Dalkey shop opened just before Christmas in December 2013 opposite Finnegan’s Pub on Railway Road near Dalkey Dart station. Employing five people across the two sites with bookseller Marta Starosta and children’s book specialist Carrie Anderson heading up the Dalkey team. You’ll also find owner Bob Johnston manning the tills in both of the shops. The shop may be small but the ?curated? selection of books is great with all the staff picking individual titles that they think people will enjoy. Staff Pick review cards give great advice on books that the booksellers have particularly enjoyed. The children’s books and fiction sections are very popular but the bookshop covers everything from autobiographies to zen mindfulness, and events and festivals are key to making the bookshop a lively and enjoyable community destination. This little gem of a shop?are taking part in the Dalkey Book Festival this weekend, one of the must-dos on the Dublin calender. This year sees the?Irish Timestalk the Ten Global Trends that will change your life and broadcaster Kirsty Wark in conversation with Miriam O’Callaghan. For details of the full line-up see?the Book Festival’s website.