Dublin has had a profound impact on the culture of the country, and the world. As Ireland’s capital city, we have produced some of the finest Irish talent from musicians and poets to inventors and scientists. Dublin’s people have an unparalleled influence on the world, sharing a culture with literature at its heart. Many world-famous poets and writers come from Dublin or later made our fair city their home, such as James Joyce, Seamus Heaney and WB Yeats. People come from far and wide to experience the city that inspired these immense talents to write as they did and walk the streets that brought their masterpieces to life. Discover Dublin’s literary heritage when you book a stay in our 4-star Dublin Hotel Ashling Hotel. Our hotel in Dublin is a stone’s throw from some of the best attractions in the city.
Famous Irish Writers
Did you know three of the city’s bridges are named after literary giants, James Joyce, Sean O’Casey and Samuel Beckett? Or that many statues exhibitions and attractions in Dublin have Irish literature at their heart. Visit the Listen Now Again exhibition in Bank of Ireland Westmoreland Street and celebrate the life and work of one of Ireland’s best-loved poets, Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney. Oscar Wilde is one of our most beloved authors and the statue of him in Merrion Square shows his flamboyant personality and devil-may-care attitude. His former home is also nearby. There are numerous plaques dedicated to the Irish Poet Patrick Kavanagh and a monument, in the form of a public seat, dedicated to him on the banks of the Grand Canal at Baggot Street Bridge. Everywhere you look there are reminders of Dublin’s literary heritage.
Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)
Explore the story of Ireland’s famous literary culture from past to present at the wonderful Museum of Literature Ireland, located in a beautiful building on the south side of St Stephens Green. Explore the stunning surroundings and history of Numbers 85 and 86 St Stephen’s Green with a Historic House Tour. A visit allows you to view original manuscripts of some of the most influential texts that often reference the sights surrounding you in Dublin at the time. Changing exhibitions include a look at the connections between Irish literature and international cities, as well as a unique version of the history of Irish Literature. The Museum holds a permanent collection of James Joyce-related material, including his ‘Copy No. 1’ of Ulysses and changing exhibitions on other Irish literary figures.
James Joyce Centre
Situated in a stunning Georgian townhouse in Dublin’s North Inner City, the James Joyce Centre offers visitors historical and biographical information about renowned author JamesJoyce and his works. The centre houses displays items from Joyce’s private collection and focuses on his life and works in great detail. You can enjoy a Joyce-inspired walking tour and there are often lectures to enjoy during your visit. James Joyce captured much of daily life in Dublin over 100 years ago in his books Ulysses and Dubliners and it is fascinating to hear more about the stories behind his stories and walk the same streets he wrote about.
Libraries in Dublin
Marsh’s Library is beautifully preserved and is one of the few in Ireland still used for its original purpose. Unchanged since its establishment in 1707, it is the oldest library on the island and contains 25,000 rare and fascinating books. Famous readers have included Irish writers Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and James Joyce. You’ll see the cages the readers were locked into for the safety of the books, the beautiful secret garden and might be lucky enough to meet one of its resident ghosts!
After an immersion into Dublin’s literary icons, you may wish to place what you’ve learned into the wider context of global literacy. The Chester Beatty Library is the private collection of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty and an award-winning museum in the heart of Dame Street. The collection of historic artefacts dates from 2700BC to the present day and The Islamic Collection is arguably one of the finest like it in the world.
Discover Dublin’s literary heritage for yourself when you book a stay in Ashling Hotel, a comfortable four-star hotel in the heart of Dublin. Our best available rates and special offers are exclusively available on our website.
