A few chapters from the Eason story
From railway bookstalls to your doorstep, explore the moments that have shaped Eason over 140 years.
1856: The first chapter
Charles Eason becomes manager of W.H. Smith’s Dublin branch on Eden Quay—the beginning of the Eason family’s connection with Ireland’s book trade.
1886: Eason & Son begins
Charles Eason and his son purchase the Irish business of W.H. Smith. A new name begins a story that we’re still writing 140 years later.
1887: A home on O’Connell Street
Eason purchases premises at 40 Lower Sackville Street, now O’Connell Street, beginning a lasting connection with one of Dublin’s best-known streets.
1916–1919: Rebuilding our story
Our O’Connell Street and Abbey Street premises are destroyed during the Easter Rising. Staff salaries continue throughout the closure, and the rebuilt premises reopen in 1919.
1939: An electric idea
Anticipating wartime fuel shortages, Eason orders four electric delivery vehicles—a surprising chapter in our delivery history.
1960s–1990s: Growing with generations
From Cork and Dún Laoghaire to Limerick and beyond, Eason becomes part of more communities, with later openings in familiar shopping destinations including Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Liffey Valley.
1998: Our story goes online
Easons.com launches, opening a new way for customers to shop with Eason and bringing our bookshelves within reach of readers across Ireland.
2001: A little midnight magic
Our O’Connell Street store holds its first midnight opening for a Harry Potter book, bringing readers together for the excitement of a new adventure.
2011: Inspiring young minds
In our 125th anniversary year, the Eason Spelling Bee launches, celebrating language, learning and the achievements of young spellers.
2014: New worlds to explore
Department 51 launches, creating a destination for young adult books, graphic novels and the characters and worlds readers love.
2016: Our history. Ireland’s story.
A century after the Easter Rising, Eason commemorates its place in those historic events with an interactive archive at O’Connell Street. Original letters, documents and photographs bring the experiences of our business and staff to life, alongside books exploring this defining chapter in Ireland’s history.
2016: Celebrating children’s books
Eason is named Children’s Bookseller of the Year at the British Bookseller Awards, recognising our commitment to inspiring young readers.
2017: A fresh chapter for easons.com
An upgraded website marks the next step in our online journey, evolving to meet the needs of a growing number of customers choosing to shop online.
2020: A new chapter with Dubray
Dubray joins the Eason family, bringing its distinctive bookshops, knowledgeable booksellers and passion for reading into our shared story.
2021: Staying connected through books
As COVID-19 restrictions change how we shop, more customers turn to easons.com. Online becomes an increasingly important way to bring books, activities and gifts into homes across Ireland, helping customers keep reading, learning and finding moments of enjoyment.
2023: Welcoming The Gutter Bookshop
Dubray welcomes The Gutter Bookshop’s stores in Dublin and Dalkey. Both retain their much-loved name, continuing their story as part of our wider bookselling family.
2025: Helping a love of reading grow
Eason commissions Amárach Research to explore the reading experiences of children and families across Ireland. From treasured bedtime routines to the challenges of screen time, the findings help us understand what matters to families and how to support a lifelong love of books.
2026: 140 years and stories still to come
We celebrate 140 years of Eason & Son: our Irish heritage, generations of readers and the pleasure of discovering something new. Thank you for being part of our story.
Your next chapter starts here
As we celebrate 140 years, we’re celebrating everyone who makes books part of their lives: the readers, writers, gift-givers and curious browsers.
Join us in celebrating Irish writing. Return to a much-loved author, try a new voice or share a favourite with someone else.
140 years of stories. What will you discover next?
Explore Irish fiction and Irish non-fiction at easons.com.