THE first two-day national book fair is to be held next week (Sunday, October 27th and Monday, October 28th) at the Masonic Hall, on Dublin's Molesworth Street. As usual, the fair will be attended by a large number of booksellers from both North and South, offering not just books but also prints, maps and other printed material.

Among the rarer items on sale will be a copy of Flora Mitchell's Vanishing Dublin, on offer from Donegal bookseller, Michael Herron, who will also have on his stand many of Seamus Heaney's first editions, signed by the author. Schull Books of Co. Cork will be selling a two-volume set of Strutt's Manners and Customs in England from 1775 and other book sellers participating in the fair include Martin Walsh, Ray Lloyd, Craobh Rua Books and Boro Books. The national book fair runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on both days.