Dublin is a city that has a long and fascinating history, and as well as being the capital of the Republic of Ireland, it is also a city that has inspired and served as the home to many of Britain and Ireland's greatest writers. Culture has played an important role in the life of the city, with figures such as Jonathan Swift having served as the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, while the Book of Kells is one of the most popular attractions in the city.


Vibrant and interesting, the literary heritage of Dublin has a lot to offer the solo traveler, from wonderful sites to explore to great ways to meet others interested in the same subject.

 

Visit The James Joyce Centre

Housed in a lovely old house that has been beautifully restored, this wonderful center celebrates the life of James Joyce, and as well as housing regular exhibitions about the author's work and portraits of his family members, it is also the starting point for many regular tours of the city that begin here. The house was once home to Professor Denis Maginni, who makes an appearance in the book Ulysses, and exhibitions can include artwork and presentations on the work and life of the author. 

 

Hear The Dublin Yarnspinners Tell Their Tales

As well as the written history of Irish literature, many of the country's best tales are verbal stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. The Dublin Yarnspinners is an open club that welcomes visitors as well as locals, with a guest storyteller entertaining the audience with a story.

The event is held on the second Tuesday of every month, and has a small cover charge.

 

Meet Some Of The Local Students On The Trinity College Literary Tour

The most important learning establishment in the city is home to some wonderful old manuscripts and several libraries that trace the history of Ireland and many other aspects of the country's culture. The most famous of the attractions stored at the college is the Book of Kells, a stunning decorated manuscript of the gospels which is superbly preserved and is as attractive today as it was when it was first penned over 1,200 years ago.

 

Enjoy The Historic Atmosphere At Marsh's Library

This was the first public library to open in Dublin, and in the early eighteenth century this was something that was a big event, with the library founded by the religious leader Narcissus Marsh. Today visitors can see the portraits of many of the important figures who helped to develop the reputation and collections of the library, along with some quirky aspects including books which have bullet holes from the Easter Rising, and the cages where early readers were locked to ensure that no books were stolen.

 

See The Exhibitions At The National Library Of Ireland

The national library is not only a great place to explore the literary heritage of  Ireland but is also a host to regular events and exhibitions that cover the contemporary and historic literature of the country. The library's connection with WB Yeats means that the poet is often the subject of some of the exhibitions and events, while the collection in the library is also excellent.

 

Join The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

A more irreverent way to explore Dublin's literary history is to join this pub crawl, a walking tour that combines some of the city's best and most traditional pubs, the works of local writers and poets performed by actors, and taking in some of the city's iconic sights. While it may not be as rowdy as many of the pub crawls that explore the heart of the Irish capital, it is a great way to learn more about the city's literature, and the lubricant of Irish beer is great for helping you to relax and to talk to new people also on the tour.