Category Archives: Uncategorized

Raven Books, Blackrock, Co.Dublin

By David on August 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

Located at 12 Carysfort Avenue (just round the corner from Blackrock Main Street) this compact little shop is like the Tardis and boasts a lot more on the inside than its diminutive frontage would suggest. I popped in today, for the first time, and was very pleasantly surprised by the range and quality of stock. Despite the indifferent weather the shop was doing a brisk trade and I would recommend it as a call for all booklovers. Friendly customer service! Remember that there are also several booksellers in the Blackrock Market (off Main Street) as well as, the long established, Carrig Books at 73 Main Street.

Raven Books are open as follows:

Mon/Weds, 9.30am-6pm
Thurs 9.30am-8pm
Fri/Sat 9.30am-6pm
Sunday 11.00am-3pm

Telephone (01) 278 9509

Website: http://www.ravenbooks.ie

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THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!

By David on June 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

Five years in gestation and “Collect Ireland” is finally in production. The first sample copies arrived from the publishers last week and, for the first time with anything that I have produced, I am happy with the finished result. A second edition, which includes Northern Ireland, is nearing completion and should appear towards the end of July.

Copies of Collect Ireland should soon be available at various antiques fairs, antiques shops and bookshops around the country. It will also be available directly from me through this blog – as soon as the bulk print run arrives.

My sincere thanks to all those who have helped in anyway with the production and especially Steve McCarthy for producing the cover artwork for me. Further examples of his work are available on his blog: http://www.mrstevemccarthy.blogspot.com/

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Kehoe’s, South Anne Street – another institution!

By David on April 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

I can’t visit Dublin without popping into Kehoe’s pub on South Anne Street. Sadly when working I have to restrict myself to coffee and a toasted sandwich – this always seems like sacrilege in such august surroundings. Truly unique, unchanged for more than a century this pub is a veritable oasis in a city full of ‘watering holes’ with the emphasis on holes! Toasted sandwiches in cellophane and soup is the only food on offer – no paninis or lattes here – and food is served until it runs out. The original snug remains and the shop shelves behind the age worn counter exude atmosphere – time stands still here – and long may it continue to do so!

As luck would have it my visit coincided with the introduction of branded crockery by Kehoe’s – mugs, cups, plates etc with the pub’s name emblazoned upon them – I just had to have for my breweriana collection. I explained to the barman that it was a case of theft or purchase as I couldn’t go home without a mug. A small donation to the bar tips glass saw me part a happy and honest punter!

Kehoe’s Pub,

South Anne Street,

Dublin.2.

A place to visit before you die!

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Whistlestop visit to Dublin.

By David on April 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

Appropriately April 1st saw me visit the Capital to do one last check on antiques dealers for my forthcoming guide to collecting – now titled ‘Collect Ireland’ – and, as usual, some shops had closed down while others had moved location. At 88 Francis Street I called into the well stocked premises of Sean McGahan & Sons, in the business for more than 20 years, and can highly recommend his shop to anyone looking for high quality antique furniture. His stock is spread over two floors and every inch of space is crammed with really quality items – some superb bookcases, tables, and a Victorian display case of birds including a Crowned Crane that really took my fancy. These days I limit my collecting to more easily manageable (and affordable) items so resisted the urge to splash out €3,000 on the display case. A fine oil painting of a Belfast sailing ship which disappeared off South Africa in the 1890s on its maiden voyage (€1,500) also had to be declined, this time purely for financial reasons. Sean also undertakes furniture restoration work. A dealer who is genuinely enthusiastic about his stock is, these days, an endangered species in my opinion! Be sure to give him a call if you’re in the area.

Sean McGahan & Sons,
88 Francis Street,
Dublin.8.
(086) 258 1233

Open: 11/4 Mon-Fri.

On the way back to Dublin.2. I called to Caxton Prints, 63 Patrick Street (the last business in Ireland without a website – according to the proprietor) but worth a call nonetheless. His main stock is 16th/19th century prints. Another friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable dealer.

Caxton Prints,
63 Patrick Street,
Dublin.8.
(01) 453 0060

Open: 10.30/4.30 Mon-Sat.

Back on South Great Georges Street a visit to the Market Arcade is a must – two book dealers, a coin/militaria dealer and a small art gallery. Stokes Books and its proprietor, Stephen Stokes, are a Dublin institution and if it’s quality Irish books you’re after look no further. Rare editions on Irish history, transport, literature etc. line the shelves while outside shelves groan under the weight of vast numbers of bargain books all at rock bottom prices. Stephen is an avid book collector himself and if he doesn’t know the book you’re looking for – well it probably never existed!

Stokes Books,
Market Arcade,
Sth.Great Georges Street,
Dublin.2.