Second-hand shop with a substantial stock of books.
The long-established Christina's Creations has a wide range of second-hand clothes, but also plenty of other goods for sale, including a sizeable stock of books. The fiction is mostly mass/mid-market paperbacks, but there are also some hardbacks, among which are older volumes of varying quality. Plenty of crime fiction and romances, and some literary novels too. The non-fiction stock is smaller, but includes books on Irish interest, culture and history, as well as crafts, cookery and gardening. Also a large selection of children's books. Prices are on the low side.
Christina, the owner, is likeable and enthusiastic. Her shop, which has a very limited social media presence, is a highly individual establishment of a type that was once frequently to be found in the high streets of smaller Irish towns. A thorough hunt through the books here could yield a few surprises; some of the stock is sourced from house clearances and so there can be wheat among the chaff. Although Co. Laois is not the richest of hunting grounds for second-hand book buyers, there is also a smaller stock, of perhaps 800 books, at Oxfam in Portlaoise, 12 miles away.
Portarlington railway station, which is almost a mile and a half from the town centre, is served by frequent trains from Dublin, Portlaoise, Tullamore and Athlone. The 806, 827 and 829 buses (the latter two services run on Monday-Friday only) link the railway station and the town. These buses also connect Portarlington to Monasterevin (806), Portlaoise (827, 829), Mountmellick (827) and Tullamore (829). Booker T 16.03.26
Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary
Status unknown, update requested
