Independent book store in Gorey forced to close down

An independent book store in Gorey has been forced to close its doors…

Wally O’Neill, who owns Red Books in Wexford town, decided to open up Red Books Gorey fifteen months ago.

Fifteen months later, the independent book store which was located on a Gorey side street called Rafter’s Street, has closed down.

“I struggled to divide myself in two and to be between both Wexford and Gorey. I found it difficult to leave Wexford and come up to Gorey. Wexford has got substantially busier and I found it very difficult to leave Wexford.”

“We don’t consider it the end of the story, but we consider it the end of a chapter. There’s certainly scope for another Red Books Gorey,” owner Wally said.

Wally handed the keys of Red Books over to Ciaran O’Brien last month, but despite’s Ciaran’s effort and desire to keep the bookstore open in Gorey, it didn’t work out.

“He had given it a try. It didn’t work for him. Red Books Gorey is now closed. Obviously it’s sad news, but when you run a bookshop like ours, these things can happen,” Wally said.

It’s not all bad news for the Red Books brand though. Their attention now turns completely back to Red Books Wexford, where they are set to expand their bookshop in two phases over the course of the Summer. The extension in Wexford will see Red Books increase their Wexford stock by another 50,000 books.