An Ceathrú Póilí (English: The Fourth Policeman;[1] founded 1983[2]) is an independent bookshop based in Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich on the Falls Road in the Gaeltacht Quarter of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The shop primarily sells Irish language books and Irish traditional music recordings and also sells several hundred English-language books on the topics of Irish history and politics.[3] An Ceathrú Póilí also sells Irish musical instruments, Celtic jewelry and craft.

An Ceathrú Póilí
Company typePrivate
IndustryBookshop, Music shop, Jeweller
Founded1983; 41 years ago (1983)
Headquarters216 Falls Road,
Belfast
,
Northern Ireland
Number of locations
1 shop, 1 pop-up university shop
Area served
Worldwide (online), Ireland and UK (in-store)
Key people
  • Áine Nic Gearailt
  • Pádraigín Ní Mhurchú
  • Aisling Ní Loinn
  • Gearóid Ó Cearaláin
  • Pól Mag Uidhir
ProductsBooks, music, crafts, musical instruments, Celtic jewellery, paintings, artworks, stoneware, hardware, software
Number of employees
3
Websitewww.anceathrupoili.com

History

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1983–2010

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An Ceathrú Póilí was founded in 1983 and was housed in Ardscoil Bhéal Feirste. After the Ardscoil was destroyed by fire in a 1984,[4] the shop had a nomadic existence until the founding of Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in 1991 in the old Broadway Presbyterian Church on Falls Road. The centre was used as an Irish-medium secondary school (now Coláiste Feirste) and theatre space with the book shop located on the ground floor with An Caifé Glas (now known as Bia).

2011–present

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An Ceathrú Póilí was renovated in 2011 with Irish president Mary McAleese re-opening the cultural centre in 2011.[5] The shop began selling online in September 2016. It hosts regular book launches in collaboration with publishers Coiscéim, Cló Iar-Chonnacht and An Gúm.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Zenker, Olaf (2013). "Chapter 3: Fáilte Isteach / Welcome In". Big Compilation Book with Many Chapters and Distinct Chapter Authors. Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-0-85745-913-8.
  2. ^ "Book Shops". Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016 – via Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
  3. ^ "Independent Bookshops: A UK Guide — Independent bookshops in Northern Ireland". 1 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2016 – via The Guardian.
  4. ^ Mac Aindreasa, Colm (1993). "View Of Irish Language In Belfast: Summary of background to language growth". Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2016 – via Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
  5. ^ Deeds, Brendan (11 October 2011). "The New Cultúrlann: Promoting Irish through the arts and the arts through Irish in the newly refurbished Cultúrlann Mc Adam Ofiaich". Culture Northern Ireland. Retrieved 30 October 2016 – via culturenorthernireland.org.
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54°35′33″N 5°57′41″W / 54.592465°N 5.961260°W / 54.592465; -5.961260