SHORTLIST

Reading Clubs in Ireland

Dublin's reading clubs span a large, long-running pub-based Meetup group to a network of Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown library branches running general and themed adult book clubs — including dedicated romance, sci-fi, crime, and page-to-screen discussion groups — alongside independent bookshop clubs at Hodges Figgis and The Gutter Bookshop. As Ireland's capital and largest city, Dublin has the country's densest concentration of both grassroots and institutional reading communities, with public libraries across the city and surrounding county playing an especially active role in adult programming. If you're looking to join a book club in Dublin, options range from a casual, social pub setting to structured library groups across dozens of branches, with several themed clubs available for readers who want to focus on a particular genre rather than general fiction.

Reading Clubs in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin's reading scene includes one of Ireland's largest Meetup book clubs, meeting monthly at a Camden Street pub, plus multi-branch library programs across Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The Dublin Book Club gathers at Jimmy Rabbitte's with a rotating, member-voted list of 20 to 30 books in a social pub setting, while Dublin City Libraries runs adult book clubs across branches including Grand Canal, Coolock, Drumcondra, and Walkinstown (several now with waitlists). Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown's dlr Libraries go further still, offering themed romance, sci-fi, and page-to-screen groups across seven branches, and independent bookshops Hodges Figgis and The Gutter Bookshop each run several genre-specific clubs of their own. Whether you're new to Dublin or a longtime resident, here are real, currently active reading clubs to join in Dublin.

  • The Dublin Book Club

    General reading with a rotating, member-voted list of 20–30 books, in a social pub setting.

    Where
    Jimmy Rabbitte's, 87 Lower Camden St, Dublin 2
    When
    Monthly, Tuesdays, 7:15pm
    Join on Meetup ↗

  • Dublin City Libraries Adult Book Clubs

    General fiction and nonfiction adult clubs across several branches — some are fully subscribed, so check availability.

    Where
    Multiple branches (Grand Canal, Coolock, Drumcondra, Walkinstown, Central, and more)
    When
    Varies by branch, mostly monthly evenings
    See Dublin City Libraries listing ↗

  • dlr Libraries Regular Adult Book Clubs

    A wide variety of adult clubs across seven branches, including themed romance, sci-fi, and page-to-screen groups.

    Where
    Blackrock, Cabinteely, Dalkey, Deansgrange, Dundrum, dlr LexIcon, Shankill
    When
    Varies by branch, mostly monthly evenings
    See dlr Libraries listing ↗

  • Hodges Figgis Book Clubs

    Independent-bookshop clubs covering crime, sci-fi & fantasy, and general fiction.

    Where
    Hodges Figgis, 56–58 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
    When
    Monthly, evenings (~6:00pm)
    See Hodges Figgis listing ↗

  • The Gutter Bookshop Book Clubs

    Several themed clubs including a Classics circle and a dedicated Dalkey group.

    Where
    Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, and Dalkey shop
    When
    Varies by club, mostly monthly
    See The Gutter Bookshop listing ↗

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club of Dublin 9

    An adults-only genre discussion group meeting at a Dublin City Library branch.

    Where
    Ballymun Library, Dublin 9
    When
    Monthly, 3rd Wednesday, 6:30–7:30pm
    Join on Meetup ↗