Was Christmas not just last week?

We’ve been unbelievably busy since then.

We started the year nice and calmly… with an order for 4,500 books (that’s 5 pallets for anyone counting) heading to Korea — the good Korea. Somewhere in Suwon right now, our books are sitting on hotel shelves pretending to be sophisticated international travellers.

Naturally, that immediately escalated into an order for 1,080 feet of books. Yes, feet. Approximately 11,000 books in total, because apparently measuring books by the metre wasn’t dramatic enough.

While all of that was happening, we were also building another office and somehow keeping the rest of the business functioning at the same time.

Then came March, when we had already started expanding the shop. This is also when Donal had one of his trademark “absolutely reasonable” ideas:

“Wouldn’t it be great if the expansion was finished for the 1-year anniversary on March 17th?”

A completely sensible suggestion with no stress whatsoever attached to it.

Against all logic, sleep schedules, we somehow pulled it off.

At this stage, we foolishly thought things might calm down and we could return to normal business activities: packing orders, uploading books, sorting incoming stock… nice ordinary stuff.

Absolutely not.

Instead, specialised orders started rolling in from schools, hotels, and private customers.

Things like:

• “100 books published before 1990”

• “500 books, but 10 copies of each title”

• “Books in blue covers facing east during a full moon” (probably)

…which basically meant we had to turn into literary archaeologists and search through every single book we own to put these orders together.

Right around this point, I decided the perfect contribution would be to develop an allergic reaction and leave George and Donal holding the fort.

Then Easter appeared and disappeared before anyone had time to notice.

“Great,” we thought. “Time for a holiday.”

It was not a holiday.

Donal was literally in the car writing emails while I drove him, Kim and myself to the airport. Apparently, business follows you everywhere now. Emails, phone calls, pallet orders… they travel internationally.

Which is exactly when we got another order: 10 pallets. Approximately 12,000 books. Off to Sweden earlier this week, because clearly we hadn’t done enough.

And just in case there was any risk of free time appearing, we also had to build more warehouse shelves, reorganise three sheds, fix random things, improve other random things, and do endless jobs around the yard that somehow multiply overnight when nobody is looking.

So really, all of this is just a very long-winded way of saying:

We’re still here.

We’re still going.

And hopefully, you’ll be seeing a lot more of us.

If you are looking for bulk book supply, from 50 books to 5000, or any amount - phone Donal Condren at here at 0863892932 ( or email sales@thebookshop.ie with BULKSUPPLY in the subject line) and we'll be able to quote for most book quantities and supply timescales. 

See https://thebookshop.ie/wholesale/ for more details!