21 independent Irish bookshops receive grants as part of a €100,000 prize fund

21 independent bookshops in Ireland have received grants as a part of a €100,000 Books At One Community Prize Fund.

Each of the winning shops will receive a grant of up to €5,000 to deliver a unique community engagement initiative.

"This fund was developed to support independent bookstore owners in creating new and interesting ways their store could be used for community engagement, creating more welcoming spaces that reflect the voices in their local towns," said Eoghan Stack, Chairperson of The One Foundation.

"We believe the power of a bookshop goes far beyond bookshelves and look forward to seeing how these ideas come to life across the country.”

The Books At One Community Prize Fund is in collaboration with The One Foundation.

"The One Foundation was launched to support independent bookshop owners in helping bring creative ways to connect with their local communities, where they may not have had the resource or finance to do previously," said official foundation description.

"Whether through inclusive cultural events, youth workshops, or storytelling festivals, the initiative will assist independent bookstores to bring innovative ideas to life which will benefit their local communities."

The winning ideas of the initiative will be revealed in the coming months and will brought to life through events and activities in towns and cities across Ireland.

For further information or to check out the updates on these projects, click here or visit @books_at_one on Instagram.

• Recipients of the Books At One Community Prize Fund 2025 are:

· The Secret Bookshelf, Carrickfergus, Antrim
· Antiquity @ The Time travellers, Skibbereen, Cork
· Banner Books, Kilrush, Clare
· Fermoy Books, Fermoy, Cork
· Leaf and Bower, Ballincollig, Cork
· Midleton Books, Midleton, Cork
· Philips Bookshop, Mallow, Cork
· Quay Books, Limerick City, Limerick
· Bridge Books, Dromore, Down
· Books Upstairs, Dublin
· Charlie Byrne’s, GalwayIreland
· Kennys Bookshop & Art Gallery, Galway
· Dingle Book Shop, Dingle, Kerry
· Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, Kildare
· The Reading Room, Carrick On Shannon, Leitrim
· Roe River Books, Dundalk, Louth
· Castle Books, Castlebar, Mayo
· Bookworm, Thurles, Tipperary
· Halfway up the Stairs, Greystones, Wicklow
· Tales for Tadpoles, Bray, Wicklow
· Red Books, Wexford Town, Wexford