Two local independent Galway bookstores have each secured a €5,000 grant as part of the Books At One Community Fund 2025. Charlie Byrne’s and Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery were successful following a national call for submissions to deliver interesting and innovative community initiatives.
Each winning independent Irish bookstore will receive a grant of up to €5,000 to deliver a unique community engagement initiative that reimagines how bookshops can serve as creative and social hubs across Ireland.
The Books At One Community Fund, supported by The One Foundation, was launched to support independent bookshop owners in helping bring creative ways to connect with their local communities, where they may not have had the resources or finances to do so previously. Whether through inclusive cultural events, youth workshops, or storytelling festivals, the initiative will assist independent bookstores to bring innovative ideas to life, which will benefit their local communities.
“Books At One is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 community fund. This fund was developed to support independent bookstore owners in creating new and interesting ways their store could be used for community engagement, creating more welcoming spaces that reflect the voices in their local towns. We believe the power of a bookshop goes far beyond bookshelves and look forward to seeing how these ideas come to life across the country,” said Eoghan Stack, chairperson of The One Foundation.
The winning ideas will be brought to life over the coming months, across towns and cities, with events and activities that put people and stories at the heart of community life.
