History of O’Mahony’s Booksellers
O’Mahony’s was founded in 1902 at 120 O’Connell St. Limerick by J.P.O’Mahony, grandfather of the current owner Frank, and continues to trade from the same location. It is the oldest retail business of its type in the region and has developed from a single store of 450sq.ft. into a 25,000sq.ft. retail operation in the Mid-West and South-West of Ireland.
A family business, with customer service as the main distinguishing factor between it and other bookselling businesses in the country, O’Mahony’s employs 80 staff who have a wealth of bookselling knowledge, enjoy their work and contribute to the ongoing success of this company. With its Limerick headquarters – the recipient of an RIAI award – and three other branches, no Irish bookseller can match the wide diversity of stock and broad customer base as O’Mahony’s.
Our Branches
Limerick
With over 17,000sq.ft. of retail space in the centre of Limerick O’Mahony’s is one of the largest independent bookshop in the country. O’Mahony’s prides itself in having a pleasing environment in which to work and shop, and in presenting a wide selection of stock with over 100,000 titles available in all book categories, local, national, international, educational and academic.
The primary and secondary schoolbook section serves students, parents and teachers with a wide range of resource materials. Also stocked are cards, gifts, and stationery. There is a separate library and corporate supply area with dedicated stock, service and reception space.
Telephone: +353 61 418155
University of Limerick
At the University of Limerick branch, a large range of core and non-core titles are stocked in the following categories: Engineering, Life Sciences, Computers, Management, Sport and Leisure, Languages, Law. This branch has developed a range of exclusive U.L. Memorabilia to sell alongside stationery, newspapers and magazines. Library supply and special orders are to the forefront in this busy campus bookshop.
Telephone: +353 61 203048
Tralee Bookshop
O’Mahony’s have been selling book in the Kingdom of Kerry for over 30 years. Now in a spacious 3,500sq.ft. premises, the shop caters for all the bookselling needs of its environs and its many international visitors.
Telephone: +353 66 7122266
Ennis Bookshop
O’Mahony’s Bookshop in Ennis opened in 1996, its business being predominantly general and educational books with an excellent range of school and college stationery. Our special order service is very successful in this branch.
Telephone: +353 65 6828355
Our Awards & Achievements
2015
February – 2015 Supply Chain Accreditation
April- Social Media Awards 2015- Semi-finalist- Best Business Twitter account – In-House Run
May- Social Media Awards 2015- Finalist- Best Business Twitter account – In-House Run
2014
May- Social Media Awards 2014- Finalist for Best Use of Social Media by an SME (new)– Sponsored by Bord Gais Energy
April- Social Media Awards 2014- Shortlisted for Best Use of Social Media by an SME (new) – Sponsored by Bord Gais Energy
February – The Booksellers Independent Bookshop of the Year 2014 – Regional Shortlist announced.
38 stores made the shortlists, divided into regions and in the running to be The Bookseller Independent Bookshop of the Year. The regions are Ireland, Scotland, North England, Midlands & Wales, South & Southeast England, London and Southwest England.
February – 2014 Supply Chain Accreditation
February – Limerick Literary Festival in honour of Kate O’Brien
Annual sponsorship of the Kate O’Brien Weekend which this year has been renamed the Limerick Literary Festival in honour of Kate O’Brien”. The event continues to celebrate the life and works of Kate O’Brien, while continuing to attract prominent participants and speakers from around the world.
2013
October – Annual Sponsorship of two awards at the Limerick Institute of Technology Graduation Awards.
Award for excellence on the Bachelor of Engineering in Video and Sound Technology went to Abdelilah Wadil and the Award for excellence on the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Audio and Video Production went to Brian Ruane.
April – The Booksellers Independent Bookshop of the Year 2013
– Regional Winner for Ireland.
March – The Booksellers Independent Bookshop of the Year 2013
– Regional Shortlist for Ireland.
March – Ennis Book Club Festival 2013
The Ennis Book Club Festival is a terrific social and literary gathering bringing together book club members and readers from Ireland and beyond.
March – World Book Day Festival 2013
Nearly 2000 schoolchildren, teachers, parents and authors visited our Limerick Branch over the course of the 10 days of events we held in association with World Book Day on March 7th
February – Kate O’Brien Literary Weekend
Annual sponsorship of the Kate O’Brien Weekend which is an annual literary weekend in Limerick in honour of the city’s most famous deceased author.
2012
November – Bord Gais Irish Bookshop of the Year 2012
– Regional Winner for Munster
October – Annual Sponsorship of two awards at the Limerick Institute of Technology Graduation Awards.
Award for excellence on the Bachelor of Engineering in Video and Sound Technology went to Ray Fennelly and the Award for excellence on the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Audio and Video Production went to Peter Moloney.
August – The Irish Times Top 50 Best Independent Shops in Ireland
We made the list, by public vote, of the best Independent shops in Ireland.
March – Ennis Book Club Festival 2012
The Ennis Book Club Festival is a terrific social and literary gathering bringing together book club members and readers from Ireland and beyond.
March – World Book Day Festival 2012
About 1600 schoolchildren, teachers, parents and authors visited our Limerick Branch over the course of the 10 days of events we held in association with World Book Day on March 1st
February – Kate O’Brien Literary Weekend
Annual sponsorship of the Kate O’Brien Weekend which is an annual literary weekend in Limerick in honour of the city’s most famous deceased author. In 1998 Frank & David O’Mahony received the Outstanding achievement Award and Booksellers of the Year for their commitment to quality bookselling in Ireland. Both are former Presidents of the Irish Booksellers Association and have served on numerous international book committees. In 1997, O’Mahony’s achieved the highest architectural regional award by the RIAI for the remodeling of its premises at 120 O’Connell Street, Limerick.
Special Services
We are constantly improving and adding services to lead the way in bookselling. A sample of what we do includes
World Wide Mailing
Library Selection
Book Hampers
Special Order Service
Book Tokens and Gift Vouchers
Our Business Tenet
O’Mahony’s aim to be the most efficient and effective bookselling operation in Ireland. To achieve this goal the company believes the delivery of quality service, regardless of shape, size or complexity as the primary path towards achieving meaningful success.
