The new shops represent an investment of 2m and bring to 18 the number of Hughes & Hughes outlets across Ireland and the UK, establishing the company as the largest independent specialist book group in this country.

The Dun Laoghaire shop, located in the Pavilion 2 development, extends over 12,000 square feet, making it the largest store in the group, with enough room to stock around 150,000 books. It includes a specialist children's area featuring educational toys and games as well as books, and a Costa Coffee outlet with seating for 50 people. The new branch is expected to create 30 new jobs in south Dublin.

The two outlets at Cork International Airport are located in the arrivals hall and the departure lounge of the new terminal, which is due to open in mid-May. The shops measure approximately 1,500 square feet each and will mean the creation of 25 new jobs.

Group executive chairman Derek Hughes says the new shops are part of an ongoing plan to expand the company significantly in the coming months.

"The last store we opened was in Omni Park, Santry, in November 2005, and this has been a great success, " he says.

"We have firm plans in place to open more stores across the country over the next 12 to 24 months. The Hughes & Hughes brand is now firmly seen as Ireland's premier book brand and we have been offered excellent locations throughout the country which is a great vote of confidence for the company and its people."