Dublin Literary Tour

Dublin has always had a way with words. From poets and playwrights to novelists and storytellers, generations of writers have drawn inspiration from its streets, squares and characters.

To keep this walk to a manageable two hours, we concentrate on writers who have passed on to that great library in the sky – otherwise, we might need to double the length of the tour! Our route from Merrion Square takes us through the elegant Georgian streets and around Trinity College, uncovering the places and stories associated with some of Dublin’s most celebrated literary figures.

Along the way, we encounter the Dublin of James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, Sheridan Le Fanu, Oscar Wilde and W. B. Yeats, as well as discovering connections with visiting writers such as Charles Dickens and J. P. Dunleavy. We explore not only the great literary names, but also the streets, homes, institutions and characters that helped shape their lives and work.

Dublin’s literary tradition is very much alive. In 2010, the city became the fourth UNESCO City of Literature and is now one of 53 cities worldwide to hold this distinction. Dublin’s remarkable literary heritage includes four Nobel Prize winners in Literature – W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney – while a new generation of writers continues to add to the city’s remarkable literary story.

This is a walk through a Dublin where literature is not confined to books. It can be found in the architecture, the streets and the stories around every corner.

• Attentive and expert guides who bring Dublin’s literary history to life
• We only take small groups, allowing for a more personal and engaging experience
• Above all, discover the stories behind the names – and the Dublin that inspired them