Woodbine Books on shortlist for bookseller awards

Dawn and Aidan.

Woodbine Books is one of only two Irish independent bookshops who are in the shortlist for the Booksellers Association Indie Bookshop of the Year 2018 award, writes Brian Byrne.

With the Blessington Bookshop, they are representing the Irish Region in the competition, which is for independent booksellers across the UK and Ireland. The Association represents about 95pc of all book stores on the two islands.

The winners will be announced at the British Book Awards in May. In all there are 39 contenders for the overall award.

Woodbine Books was established in September 2016 by Dawn Behan and Aidan Cunnane. In addition to the normal business of selling books, the operation has shown the importance of the independent bookshop sector, which can provide a more interesting stock than the chains that are often obsessed with the best-seller end of the market.

Events held in Woodbine Books and by the owners have included book club meetings for young people, taking part in the annual Book Week at Scoil Bhride, story-telling sessions, and meetings with authors.

Drop by and say 'congratulations' on the shortlist achievement.