My Ireland
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Literature in Ireland
For centuries, this small island has inspired a host of poets, playwrights, writers and storytellers to compose some of the best literature in the world
Ireland’s literary heritage
Ireland’s rich literary tradition dates back to early tales of mythical heroes such as Cú Chulainn, and continues right up to prize-winning modern authors such as Anne Enright, Anna Burns and Colm Tóibín.
Literature is most definitely in our blood. Early Irish literature is thought to be the oldest vernacular literature in western Europe, and you can still see examples of Ogham inscriptions on stones in the counties of Kerry, Cork and Waterford. Wherever you go on the island, be it an Atlantic outpost or a thriving modern city, you can connect with plays, poetry and prose, as well as experiencing the landscape, culture and history that inspired the greats.
Great writers from the island of Ireland
L-R: Seamus Heaney; Oscar Wilde; Patrick Kavanagh; WB Yeats
Dublin: city of literature
Dublin is famous for its vibrant street life and quirky characters, and it has been home to some exceptional writers over the years. In this UNESCO City of Literature, you can almost hear the words of James Joyce, Flann O’Brien and Sally Rooney echo through the streets. The city has produced three of Ireland’s four Nobel Prize winners for literature, and it continues to be a hotbed of creativity.
Pull up a bar stool in one of the city’s famous “literary” pubs such as Davy Byrne’s – immortalised in Joyce’s Ulysses – or join the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. Explore the Museum of Modern Literary Ireland (MoLI) on St Stephen’s Green, and visit the award-winning WB Yeats exhibition at the National Library, described by the New York Times as “dazzling”.
The James Joyce Centre, Dublin © Conor McCabe
Bloomsday: celebrating James Joyce's Ulysses
You don't need to read Ulysses to enjoy this unique festival: here’s how to immerse yourself in Bloomsday by eating, drinking and walking your way around Leopold Bloom's Dublin.
Seeking out CS Lewis
Belfast’s literary heritage reverberates through its historic streets – this grand Victorian city was the birthplace of The Chronicles of Narnia author CS Lewis. The CS Lewis Tour takes in key locations in the author’s life, as well as exploring some of the influences on his writing.
The landscapes that cradle Belfast are also a source of inspiration – Cave Hill, overlooking the city, is believed to have given rise to Jonathan Swift’s creation of the giant in Gulliver’s Travels. Swift was born in Dublin but was a clergyman in the parish of Kilroot, County Antrim. Push out into County Down and you’ll come across the Mourne Mountains, thought to have inspired Lewis to create Narnia.
Any trip around the island of Ireland uncovers endless places associated with playwrights, thinkers and poets, from small islands to craggy mountains. Who knows what inspiration this land might unlock in you?
That part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia.
CS Lewis, in a letter to his brother
Statue of Aslan, CS Lewis Square, Belfast
The big Ireland book quiz!
From Bram Stoker’s vampire anti-hero to CS Lewis’s talking lion, Ireland has its fair share of famous literary characters. How many do you know?
Dublin city
Readers Garden at the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)
Great literary festivals
Ireland's literary adventures
Don't miss these things to see and do
Seamus Heaney HomePlace
Seamus Heaney HomePlace takes you on an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers. Situated between his two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place, HomePlace is at the heart of the area that inspired so much of the poet’s work.
Bellaghy
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Linen Hall Library
Founded in 1788, Linen Hall Library is a truly unique institution. As the oldest library in Belfast and the last subscribing library in Ireland, it has an impressive Irish and Local Studies Collection and houses a significant genealogy section.
Belfast
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Museum of Literature Ireland
Whether you are new to Irish literature or an expert, you will be inspired and surprised at MoLI – The Museum of Literature Ireland. Located at 86 St. Stephens Green in the historic UCD Newman House, where James Joyce once studied, MoLI is an interactive celebration of Irish poets, playwrights and novelists. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Irish literature. The Commons Café and MoLi Shop are free to visit.
Dublin
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Siamsa Tíre Theatre and Arts Centre, Tralee
Siamsa Tíre Theatre and Arts Centre, Tralee is nestled in the middle of Tralee Town, along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way. Developed in 1991, the bespoke venue boasts a fully accessible 350 seat theatre, a spacious rehearsal studio, a dedicated music room and inspiring gallery spaces. All of these are designed to celebrate the richness of Ireland's artistic and cultural heritage along with contemporary arts.
Kerry
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C.S. Lewis Trail
This trail will take you to the places that inspired the young C.S. Lewis, one of our most famous literary sons, best known for his magical world of Narnia.
Belfast
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The Book of Kells Experience
Experience the wonder of the Book of Kells like never before at the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College Dublin.
Dublin
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Marsh's Library
Marsh's Library, in Dublin City, is a beautifully preserved building and is one of the few in Ireland still used for its original purpose. Unchanged since it was established in 1707, it is the oldest public library in Ireland. It contains 25,000 rare and fascinating books, as well as 300 manuscripts.
Dublin
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Glencar Waterfall
The 15m-high Glencar Waterfall is situated near Glencar Lake, 11km west of Manorhamilton, County Leitrim. This famous Leitrim landmark served as an inspiration to William Butler Yeats.
Leitrim
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Oscar Wilde House
Take a guided tour of Oscar Wilde House, Merrion Square, Dublin City, the childhood home of the famous playwright and wit. Hear the incredible story of the Wilde family.
Dublin
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The Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre
Set in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, The Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre is rich in literary legends, inventive intellects, and enlightened educationalists. Explore the life and work of Maria Edgeworth and her family and discover where the story of Ireland's national school system began.
Longford
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The James Joyce Centre
The James Joyce Centre is located in an exquisite 18th century townhouse in the old Georgian quarter of Dublin. The James Joyce Centre is a museum and cultural institute dedicated to the life and works of James Joyce and more broadly, Irish literature, history and culture.
Dublin
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