Tour Literary Dublin
Dublin’s famous writers range from Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce through to Roddy Doyle today. The city is full of literary landmarks, so go visit their homes… and their pubs!
From Nobel Prizewinners like James Joyce and Samuel Beckett through to observers of modern Dublin life like Roddy Doyle, Ireland’s capital is also a world capital when it comes to literary giants. Other famous Irish writers include George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Sean O’Casey, Brendan Behan, WB Yeats, JM Synge and Oliver Goldsmith. Even Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) and Orson Welles have Dublin connections.
Dublin’s Theatres
Dublin has two famous theatres, the Gate and the Abbey, and as soon as you have the dates for your visit to Dublin, check their websites to see what’s playing and book your tickets. Even if you don’t go to see a play, you should at least visit the theatres on your Dublin literary tour.
The Gate Theatre on Cavendish Row was built in 1794 and apart from the many Irish plays and playwrights associated with it, such as Beckett, Shaw and Wilde, it’s also where actors including James Mason and Orson Welles first made names for themselves.
The Abbey on Lower Abbey Street is home to Ireland’s National Theatre Company. It dates back to 1904 when it was funded by WB Yeats and Lady Gregory, but sadly the original building burned down in 1951 and was replaced by an unappealing modern structure. It’s where JM Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World had its first performance, and equally controversial modern Irish dramas still premiere here.
Other Dublin Literary Landmarks
There are plenty of other Dublin literary landmarks to visit, depending on your interests. James Joyce’s admirers should head for the James Joyce Centre at 35 North Great George’s Street, which features in Joyce’s novel Ulysses and contains a vast library of Joyce’s work along with items like Joyce’s guitar and his walking stick. Did you know James Joyce played the guitar? We certainly didn’t till we visited. You can also see a statue of Joyce on St Stephen’s Green.
At 33 Synge Street is the George Bernard Shaw Birthplace, where the rooms have been restored to what they would have been like in 1856 when Shaw was born here. Unfortunately the house has been closed to the public for the last few years, while discussions are had as to what to do with it.
Oscar Wilde fans will want to see the wonderful statue of their literary hero in the park in Merrion Square, near the Wilde family home at No. 1. WB Yeats also lived in this lovely Georgian Dublin square.
Don’t miss our page on Dublin’s Literary Pubs.
