James Joyce statue at the corner of O'Connell and North Earl Streets.
Ireland has produced a disproportionate number of literary greats.
And regardless of from where in Ireland they hailed, they all landed in Dublin at some point in time.
They drank in Dublin. They debated, argued, discussed and wrote plays, poems and novels in Dublin.
As a traveler, the city’s literary past is one of its joys. In fact, it can hardly be avoided. There are monuments, statues, libraries and bookstores to be explored.
- James Joyce, author of, among other books, Ulysses, Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man, Finnegan’s Wake, and Dubliners is honored with a statue is at the corner of O’Connell and North Earl Streets
- Jonathon Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, is buried inside St Patrick’s Cathedral.
- Oscar Wilde's memorial is at the corner of Merrion Square Park. He’s probably best known for The Importance of Being Earnest.
- Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, is buried at St. Ann’s Church and there's a portrait of him at the Irish Writer’s Centre.
- Samuel Beckett, the great writer of Waiting for Godot is honored with the Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Samuel Beckett Theatre at Trinity College.
And you can also see the
- Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin. The Book is fascinating but the library is gorgeous!
- Dublin Writer’s Museum at the top of O’Connell Street on Parnell Square.
The Dublin Literary Tour should not be missed. A serious student of the classics may find fault with it but for most of us it’s a delightful romp through time and the city center while being entertained and educated over a pint or two.
And there are a few bookstores that must be visited as well.
- Books Upstairs is an independent book shop that holds regular events and has a cozy tea shop upstairs where you can hide away and do your own writing.
- Chapters on Parnell Street has a very large used book section.
- Connolly Books in the Temple Bar area is a radical bookstore specializing in political and philosophical books. The New Theatre is accessed from inside the book shop.
- Hodges Figgis was founded in 1768, and while it is now owned by Waterstones, it is worth the visit.
So it's time to don your sweater with the leather elbow patches, travel to Ireland, and revel in the past and present of literary Dublin.
For more on Dublin, read:
The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl hits the high points of Irish literature with a pint in hand. It's a highly entertaining tour.
Located at the corner of Merrion Square Park, Oscar Wilde's statue striking an appropriately irreverent post.
Books Upstairs is an independent book shop that also holds readings in this coffee shop above the book store.
