Ulysses Rare Books

Cathach books is not your average book store. They specialize in first editions and older rare books, mostly written by Irish authors. The outside of the store on Duke street says «rare books Ulysses» rather than Cathach.
The store really drew me in from these old maps of Dublin and Ireland from the 1700s. I love seeing old maps of the area and looking at where my apartment is located. It is interesting to see how the area looked back then. My street name had changed a few times and my apartment appears to have at least had a building at the current location since the 1700s, very cool (especially from someone from the US whose entire country is barely that old).
The store has a glass case with old first editions including a copy of Ulysses signed by James Joyce on hand made paper. One of only 100 made. The value is approximately 35,000 € I saw in another review. Amazing.
The basement has some discounted books as well as the collection of maps. Definitely was down this way.
I highly recommend a visit to this place just to see these old classics and rare books.

I popped in here recently to see if a couple of old history books (one on Napoleon, the other on the Boer War) I had were of any value. The member of staff on duty explained to me that Cathach books only dealt with books of Irish interest but gave me some good tips on how to get them valued. It’s lovely to even just take a walk around the shop itself, and some books are quite affordable.

I loved this place. I found exactly what I was looking for: a nice second edition reading copy of Robert Lloyd Praeger’s The Way That I Went from 1939 with the revisions and fold out map. They had a first edition too but out my price range for what I wanted to do with it, which was read it. A nice collection of books and very tempting to just to stay in there all day long.

If you’re anything like me (a nerd) then it will almost hurt you to walk by the window of this shop. You see, I love collecting stuff. First editions of books, pressings of records and anything signed by it’s creator are the objects of my desire. Which is why my wallet hates me with a fiery passion.
Cathach books specialises in rare books, signed copies and first editions.
I’ve been tossing and turning in my sleep as to whether I should buy a 400 € signed first edition copy of Factotum. It’s awful. But if you have the cash. Go nuts.

For the serious book fiend this is the place to go. These people are experts in the field of rare books. They specialise in antiquarian books and early edition Irish classics.
To me this is the best place to buy a present for a book reader that seems to have it all, you just know that you are going to get a once off piece here. I bought my Dad a book here for Christmas, it was a book about Irish history. There is just something about the old hard back editions, a timeless quality.

How much would you pay for a first edition copy of Ulysses, printed on hand-​made paper? 35 000 euro? If so, the price is right, head to Cathach books, cos that’s what it’s going for.
If your budget’s a little more constrained, never fear, for most of the books in this store sell for a very reasonable 500 euro or so for an author-​signed copy or first edition of a lesser-​known title.
Cathach Books specialises in rare and one off copies of the classics, with a particular focus on novels by Irish authors. This is a fascinating store, and definitely one for the book lovers out there. If you have the funds, there are amazing finds to be had here.
Cathach Books source their wares from book auctions, private collections and other mysterious avenues for obtaining literaria (has anyone read The Shadow of the Wind?) and the store is a tasty treat of top to toe hardcovers and limited editions.
Just a question though. If you’d forked out 500 euro for a book, would you be reading it, creasing pages as a bookmark or lending it to friends? No… thought not.

Attention all bookworms… this is the place for you. Not only do the staff seriously dig all things literary, but it’s got that wonderful old book smell that’s missing from all those more mainstream shops. You know, the one that you only get from books that have been properly read like a billion times? Hardbacks are the best.
This shop is a true find though, as they specialise in things such as first editions and so forth, and will help you out if you’re looking for anything in specific. They’re also not ridiculously expensive which really is a bonus it must be said. Added to the fact that there’s nothing nicer than browsing some proper hardbacks, the kinds who’s dust covers have been long lost, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Nice enough Bookshop, the ground floor seems to be of a specialist variety so naturally I bungle straight down to the basement anytime I’m in.
It is quite cool to be in a secondhand bargain basement that is actually in a basement though. An it really is an afterthought, the bargain books are all against one wall-​the rest is for vintage framed maps. Mad.
Still, you can’t argue with € 4 for a copy of Borstal Boy. And if you really must track down that first edition copy of Ulysses, I’d say this is a good place to start.