Welcome to Seaside Books!

Hi! I'm Alanna, and I own Seaside Books, a traveling and independent online bookshop that celebrates the magic and power of Irish storytelling. We offer a curated selection of books from Irish authors from the entire island, those who have emigrated here alone or with family, those born outside of Ireland and living here, and those published by Irish publishers from across the island. We pride ourselves in stocking unique stories across all genres, from children's books to poetry.

We travel throughout the country bringing books to community events, markets, and gatherings. We care about finding stories and books we know you will love, from children’s books to fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and are always bringing in new titles. We offer online courses, workshops, and events so folks can connect around their love of books and reading and maybe pick up some tools to tell their own stories.

My journey to opening Seaside Books began in childhood. I loved reading and storytelling and could often be found with my head in a book or returning a stack of books to the library. My favorite days were spent wandering around independent bookshops in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. When I moved from New Mexico to Ireland, I noticed how few communities have access to independent bookshops. So after many nights of talking to friends about how much I would love to open a bookshop here, I took the extra time given through the 2020 pandemic to make it a reality.

My love of stories and the desire to share them comes from a more personal place too. In 2018, I lost the ability to walk. I spent long hours in bed alone and in too much pain to move. Thankfully, I can get around better now, but my years in bed and the slowness of my new life prepared me to be really good at quarantining during the 2020 global pandemic. It was like my time spent at home in pain was the opener and 2020 was the headliner. My friends, who were new to lockdown conditions, asked me how I could cope with all the time stuck in my house, and, truthfully, it was books and reading and stories that kept me going. Books have been a comfort for me in my most challenging times, and I have seen firsthand how hearing a good story or finding the tools to tell one can positively impact our lives.

I didn’t decide on the name Seaside Books just because I live near the sea. I think of the seaside as a place where people go to have fun, make memories, and spend time with the people they love. We want to create that feeling for everyone who shops with us or participates in a writing workshop. Seaside Books is a place to celebrate and share the magic of stories with others, and I hope you join in the fun!