Trace Dublin’s Literary Legends with a Trip to the Capital

Home to three Nobel Prize winners and a plethora of internationally recognised writers, Dublin — the capital city of the Republic of Ireland — is globally renowned for its literary legends.

With many of the city’s sights dedicated to the celebration of its writers, there are a plethora of tours, museums and interactive experiences ready to guide you through the history of Dublin’s home-grown talent, which dates back over one thousand years.

Indeed, the Book of Kells — a manuscript transcribed by Celtic monks, is believed to be one of the best of its kind in existence and was written around 800 AD. Widely thought of as one of Ireland’s finest treasures, it includes the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin. The attraction, the Book of Kells: Turning Darkness into Light, is the single most visited cultural attraction in Ireland.

The late 1600s saw the birth of Jonathan Swift, who was said to be one of the most recognised writers of satirical prose. He is internationally celebrated for his written works, which include Gulliver’s Travels and A Tale of a Tub.

Nobel laureates William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett were also born in Dublin and have significantly contributed to its literary wealth. Visitors to the city can see such places as the birthplace of Shaw – a famous playwright – which not only gives one an insight into his life, but also affords the viewer a rare glimpse into what Victorian Dublin was like.

The Dublin Writers Museum, opened in 1991, is another essential place to experience, with the works of Dublin’s literary talent displayed for all to discover. Yeats, Shaw and Beckett are featured here, as are other prominent literary figures like Oscar Wilde and James Joyce.

Those who like to indulge in the darker side of life will not be disappointed with Dublin’s literary offerings either, since Bram Stoker, the well-known author of Dracula, was born here. An interactive experience has been designed for visitors to familiarise themselves with the life and work of Stoker, as well as visually recreating the story of Count Dracula and his bloodsucking ways!

A visit to Dublin would also not be complete without a trip to The National Library of Ireland, which was founded in 1877. Housing an abundance of books, manuscripts, newspapers and photographs, it is a great way to trace Dublin’s — and Ireland’s — rich literary heritage.

Dublin’s famous authors are not only confined to the past however, with well-known writers such as Maeve Binchy and Roddy Doyle having emerged in more recent times.

As well as discovering the city’s huge literary offerings, Dublin is also an economic, administrative and cultural centre for Ireland. It is a flourishing city and boasts one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city.

It is well worth a trip to such a fascinating and legendary city, although it can be an expensive place to visit. However, with a bit of forward planning, it is easy to find a variety of affordable options, ranging across budget hotels in Dublin to reasonably-priced restaurants, and interesting attractions that don’t cost the earth.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.