By Diana Giovinazzo

Ireland is known for many things, but the most iconic of all is its literary heritage. There is so much to see in Ireland itself, including inspiration for some of our most beloved classics, but it’s in Dublin where literature and history truly shine. This is one of the reasons why, during my recent trip to Ireland, I put together my own literary tour of the city. So, strap on your comfortable walking shoes, we have a full day of literary tourism ahead of us!

Trinity College

Start your morning with a visit to Trinity College, visiting its world famous library. There, you will be able to leisurely explore The Long Room, smell the old books, and see the Brian Boru Harp, considered the oldest harp in Ireland. While this may be the most Instagrammable location, The Long Room is a 290-year-old shrine to literature. 

Trinity College is also where you will be able to explore the Book of Kells. While the book itself is over 1,200 years old, it’s still immaculately preserved with brilliant colors. You’ll be able to explore the exhibit of how it was made and rescued before seeing the actual book. While no photography is allowed in the room with the book, whose pages are changed monthly, you will get to see more of it in our next stop.

The Red Pavilion, also at Trinity College, is a fun and immersive experience that includes The Long Room Reimagined, The Book of Kells 360 Experience, and The Secret Life of the Collections. 

You could easily spend the whole day at Trinity, exploring the trails, picturing yourself leaving everything to become a grad student there. But at this point in our literary tour of Dublin, we must move on. 

Rare Books

After a spot of lunch, take a swing by Ulysses Rare Books. Once featured in an episode of The Layover with Anthony Bourdain, this bookstore specializes in rare antique books. Some of their collection includes the first printing of Old Man and the Sea that was printed in Ireland, as well as an original copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, amongst other originals. Maybe even pick up a book or two. I, for one, bought a signed copy of I Hardly Knew You by the late feminist writer, Edna O’Brien.

St. Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square Park

The literary tour picks up again with a visit to Oscar Wilde’s childhood home in an elegant townhouse and, across the street, his iconic statue, with him lounging on a boulder, on the edge of Merrion Square Park. From this point, you can venture to The Little Museum of Dublin. This museum brings to life the contemporary history of Dublin (1700’s to the present). Here, you can get an understanding of the history that affected our favorite Irish authors and their work. 

The Little Museum of Dublin is located across the street from St. Stephen’s Green. While this park was significant to the Irish during various points in history, including the Irish uprising, the park itself is a setting in the book Ulysses. There is even a statue to James Joyce commemorating its feature in the book. 

On the other side of St. Stephen’s Green is the Museum of Literature Ireland (MOLI). This small museum pays homage to the literary greats who came from Ireland, with a whole section on the life of James Joyce, including the first ever printed copy of Ulysses. There is also a special digital performance of Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis, the only work that he completed during his two-year imprisonment. Now performed by LGBTQ writers, artists, and activists. 

Pub Crawl

After all this walking, it’s time for another break and possibly a snack at one of the many pubs in Dublin. It’s time for the last adventure. The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl is truly the highlight of the journey. Your guides will take you on a tour of some of Dublin’s most impressive literary locations and perform scenes from iconic plays and novels. And of course, there are pub stops! Even if you are not much of a drinker, this tour is not to be missed. You can explore it here: https://www.dublinpubcrawl.com/

Important to Note:

• The Long Room is going to be closed at some point for its first maintenance since the 1800s. Be sure to check with The Trinity College ticketing before you go to see if it will still be open during your visit.

Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland

For a literary pilgrimage to Dublin, staying in Temple Bar or the Southside puts you within walking distance of the James Joyce Centre, Beckett Library, and countless pubs where writers gathered. Accommodations in this area range from budget hostels to mid-range hotels, though prices run higher here due to foot traffic and proximity to cultural attractions. If you prefer quieter lodging, the neighborhoods around Grafton Street and the Georgian squares offer guesthouses and smaller hotels with more residential character and easier access to bookshops and literary landmarks.

The Northside, across the Liffey, offers better value and a less touristy feel while remaining close to the Abbey Theatre and the Writer’s Museum. Hotels and guesthouses here cater to different budgets, and you can walk to most literary sites in twenty minutes or less. Many travelers overlook this side of the river, so you may find better rates and a calmer atmosphere for reading and reflection between your city explorations.

For a longer stay, consider serviced apartments in the Smithfield area or around Stoneybatter, where locals actually live. These give you kitchen access and more space than a hotel room, which is practical if you’re spending days in the National Library or working through a thick Wilde biography. The neighborhoods feel genuinely lived-in rather than packaged for tourism, and you can walk to literary pubs and cafes without the constant crowd pressure of Temple Bar.

Book accommodation well in advance if traveling during summer or during literary festival season. Dublin’s smaller guesthouses and mid-range hotels fill quickly, and booking early gives you time to research which neighborhoods match your interests rather than settling for whatever remains available.

Recommended Reading:

Fiction

• The Paris Book Seller by Kerri Maher – This book explore the life of Sylvia Beach, who was quintessential in helping James Joyce publish Ulysses.
• Normal People by Sally Rooney— In this modern classic, follow the complex on-again, off-again romance between two young people from high school to their final year of school at Trinity College (where Sally herself graduated).
• The Dubliners by James Joyce — While Ulysses may be too much to read while on vacation, The Dubliners is a series of short stories set in Dublin. It will definitely give you a feel for the city.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde — While not set in Dublin, it is written by one of Dublin’s favorite sons. Even though it was written in the late 1800s, it’s still just as topical today. 

Non-Fiction 

• Oscar Wilde: A Life by Matthew Sturgis — A comprehensive, well-researched biography of Oscar Wilde, considered the most complete telling in decades, drawing on new materials like trial transcripts and letters to explore his paradoxical life as a celebrated wit, aesthete, and tragic figure. The book meticulously details his Irish childhood.James Joyceby Richard Ellmann — Universally considered the definitive, standard biography. It is a masterful, detailed account of his life.

A born history nerd, Diana Giovinazzo is the critically acclaimed author of The Woman in Red and Antoinette’s Sister. She is the co-creator of the literary podcast “Wine, Women, and Words,” featuring interviews with authors. Diana lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and menagerie of animals.