Hodges Figgis in Dublin celebrates 250 years selling books.
A new anthology 'Reading the Future: New Writing from Ireland' is being published as part of the celebration of 250 years of Hodges Figgis bookshop. The new book features works from 250 of Ireland's finest writers with proceeds will promote new Irish writing.
It's one of the oldest bookshops in the world.
At the celebration to mark 250 years, Liam Donnelly of Hodges Figgis remembers some of the biggest book launches that the shop has hosted over the years including David Attenborough, Barbara Taylor Bradford and Norman Mailer.
While the bookshop has been trading for 250 years, Hodges Figgis has also appeared in many books itself including works by Sally Rooney, John Boyne, Paul Durcan and James Joyce. Tony Hayes points to the extract from Ulysses which mentions Hodges Figgis and hangs on the wall in the shop. Liam also points to metions in work by John Boyne and Paul Durcan.
The shop marked its 250 year celebrations with the launch of the new anthology 'Reading the Future: New Writing from Ireland'. Many of the authors who contributed to the anthology were in attendance including Karen Gillece and Katie Donovan who share great memories as shoppers in Hodges Figgis. Also in attendance at the event were Sally and Nicola Figgis, great granddaughters of the shop's founder Samuel Figgis. They recall their memories and how the business has evolved through the years and are thrilled that the Figgis name remains.
Trade at the shop continues to grow and the future looks bright for continued success.
This episode of 'Morning Ireland' was broadcast on 27 April 2018. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley. The report is introduced by Gavin Jennings.
