Dublin is a city full of creativity and passion for writing. Many of the world’s most famous writers started their careers in the city – from James Joyce to Bram Stoker. That’s why the Irish capital is the perfect city to visit if you love books and the stories they tell. Here are some of the best sights & places for book lovers in Dublin.
Libraries
Endless rows of bookshelves, as high as the ceiling, and the books only reachable through ladders – which book lover hasn’t dreamed of a library like the one in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast? Maybe not in the grandeur of the animated version, but certainly close, is the Old Library in Trinity College. Its long room usually houses 200,000 of the library’s oldest books. Currently, many of them have been taken out of the shelves for conservation, but several rows of filled shelves as well as the great atmosphere of the room remain.
Other great libraries in Dublin are Marsh’s library, the National Library of Ireland or the Dublin City Council Central Library.
Museums
Dublin Writers Museum
Located in an 18th-century mansion on Parnell Square, the Dublin Writers Museum is a great collection of literary history. This museum celebrates the lives and works of Ireland’s greatest writers, including James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and Oscar Wilde. Exhibited are rare manuscripts, personal items, and portraits, offering a fascinating insight into the minds of these authors.
Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLi)
MoLI is a relatively new addition to Dublin’s literary scene, but it has quickly become a key destination for literature lovers. Located in the historic UCD Newman House, where James Joyce once studied, the museum offers an immersive experience that celebrates Ireland’s literary heritage. The exhibitions include rare books, such as a first edition of Ulysses, manuscripts, a map of James Joyce’s Dublin and multimedia displays that explore the history of Irish literature from its earliest beginnings to contemporary works. MoLI also has a beautiful garden, a café, and a bookshop.
Follow your favorite writers’ footsteps in Dublin
Oscar Wilde
This writer’s childhood home was located in Dublin’s Merrion Square, which you can now tour occasionally. Today, it actually serves as the headquarters of the American College Dublin, but even if you can’t go inside, the exterior is already worth a visit to see the commemorative plaque. Not too far from the house, there is also an Oscar Wilde statue in Marrion Square Park.
James Joyce
Not only the museum of literature celebrates the Irish writer in his home town, but also many other memorials. There is, for example, a statue of him in Talbot street and the James Joyce centre on North Great George’s Street gives you more insight into his life and works.
While visiting Sweny’s Pharmacy, you can even step right into the pages of Ulysses. This small, timeworn shop was immortalized in Joyce’s work and remains much as it was when Leopold Bloom wandered in to buy lemon soap. Today, Sweny’s is a volunteer-run museum and second-hand bookshop that offers visitors a chance to experience a piece of literary history.
Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker, the famous author of Dracula, was also born in Dublin, and the city is certainly proud of its citizen. That’s why you can find a mural of Dracula in Buckingham Street, where he lived from 1858 to 1864. From Friday 25th October – Monday 28th October 2024, there will also be the annual Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin Castle.
Bookstores for book lovers in Dublin
What is a book lover’s trip to Dublin without one (or several) new books? The city has many lovely book stores, from small independent ones to bigger stores offering literature from all around the world.
Hodges Figgis
Hodges Figgis is more than just a bookstore; it’s an institution. Established in 1768, it is Ireland’s oldest and largest bookstore, spanning four floors. With an extensive range of books across all genres, this is the place to find everything from the latest bestsellers to indie titles. The store’s knowledgeable staff and inviting atmosphere make it easy to spend your time browsing the shelves.
The Winding Stair
On the banks of the River Liffey, The Winding Stair is one of Dublin’s oldest and most beloved independent bookshops. Named after a Yeats poem (also a famous Irish writer), this bookstore is the perfect place to get lost among shelves brimming with carefully curated titles. After looking through the books, head upstairs to the café for a cozy meal while gazing out over the Ha’penny Bridge.
From page to stage
For book lovers in Dublin who want to see their favourite stories come to life, the city also has a lot to offer: Many theatres and great actors across Dublin perform their interpretations of plays, novels, and others. The most prominent ones are the Gaiety Theatre, Abbey Theatre, the Gate Theatre and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Plays you can currently buy tickets for are for example Peter Pan, War Horse and Wicked.
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