Louisa Earls of Dublin's Books Upstairs wins The O’Brien Press Bookseller of the Year Award

Louisa Earls, bookshop manager at Dublin’s Books Upstairs, has been awarded the O’Brien Press Bookseller of the Year Award.

The winner was announced on Monday 10th February at the annual Irish Book Trade Conference and Dinner, held by Bookselling Ireland & Publishing Ireland at the Galmont Hotel in Galway City.

Earls is the 31st recipient of the award, which recognises an individual bookseller’s contribution to the trade. Winners are presented with a certificate and a bronze perpetual trophy by the Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie, known as "The Elements".

Earls’ father Maurice set up Books Upstairs in 1978, and she joined the business in 2015, when it moved to its current premises on D’Olier Street after 27 years on College Green. She reinvented the shop, expanding its stock and events programme, and building the shop’s digital presence.

Ivan O’Brien, managing director of The O’Brien Press, said: "There’s always a warm welcome to readers, authors and publishers in Books Upstairs, and the tone there comes from the top. Louisa has a quiet authority driven by a real passion for books and reading, and she’s hugely knowledgeable and experienced. She has taken over the running of a family business in the best way – respecting Maurice’s unique bookselling heritage and constantly finding ways to innovate."