Dublin’s Literary Heroes and Heritage

By Go City Expert

Although Ireland is a relatively small country it has contributed a great deal to world literature. Many world famous Irish poets and writers were born in Dublin, or later made Dublin their home. For example James Joyce, Seamus Heaney and WB Yeats. Dublin’s people have exerted an unparalleled influence on the world, sharing a culture with literature at its heart. The evidence of this culture of literature can be seen woven into the city itself, even the river is explored through the eyes of a writer, through James Joyce’s Anna Livia. No other city in the world can boast such a powerful sense of literary heritage and creative drive. Did you know three of the city’s bridges are named after literary giants, James Joyce, Sean O’Casey and Samuel Beckett? A visit to the Dublin Writer’s Museum allows you to view original manuscripts of some of the most influential texts that often reference the sights surrounding you in Dublin at the time. Housed in the same building are museum rooms where you can discover more about the literary heritage of the city, exploring the different movements that literature went through from 1700 onwards. The James Joyce centre is another essential when unearthing the literary culture of Dublin. The centre houses displays from Joyce’s private collection as well and focusing on his life and works in great detail. You are also able to take part in James Joyce inspired walking tours and attend any lectures taking place when you are visiting which will add to your knowledge of Joyce and his influence of the culture of Dublin. James Joyce captured much of daily life in Dublin over 100 years ago in his books Ulysses and Dubliners. Visitors to Dublin who have literary interests can see the parts of the city much like Joyce himself did. After this immersion into Dublin’s literature you may find interest in placing this into the wider context of global literary tradition. The Chester Beatty Library is the private collection of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. It is a widely varied collection of historic artefacts, dating from 2700BC to the present day. The Islamic Collection is arguably one of the finest like it in the world, including illuminated copies of the Qu’ran, providing a different understanding of literature. On top of this you can take a public tour for free at the museum.

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Friends celebrating St Patrick's Day in Dublin, Ireland.

Things to do in Dublin in Spring

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Dublin, as the city shakes off its Christmas hangover and emerges, butterfly-like, from the cold of winter. It’s a time when rising temperatures bring beautiful blooms, fab festivals and a tentative trickle of tourists to the city streets; when mild and often sunny days make for great sightseeing weather. There’s also the not-so-little matter of the world’s biggest St Patrick’s Day street party on March 17, more (much more) of which later. For now, dive in for our guide to the best things to do in Dublin in spring, including: The National Botanic Gardens Picnics on St Stephen’s Green St Patrick’s Day festivities Long walks in Phoenix Park The Guinness Storehouse Foodie walking tours of Dublin Dublin Dance Festival Visiting Dublin in Spring The difference between early and late spring in Dublin is significant. You’ll probably still want a winter coat and umbrella in March, a fairly damp month with temperatures that struggle to get out of the 40s. April is much milder and drier and, as temperatures approach a balmy 60°F, you might even get away with toning down the chunky knitwear and layers of thermal undergarments. Though not quite shorts and t-shirt weather, May is noticeably milder, especially in the afternoons, though mornings tend to remain crisp and cool. Indeed early- to mid-May could just be the ‘Goldilocks’ moment to make your Dublin vacation: the weather is pleasant, hotels have yet to hike prices for the peak summer season and that trickle of tourists is still more of a stream than a surge, meaning queues to get into the big-ticket attractions won’t be too daunting. It’s also a fine time for day trips and long country walks outside of Dublin, as Ireland’s famously picturesque landscapes blaze back into life with vibrant wildflowers, emerald-green fields and gamboling lambs. Don’t forget though that the spring weather can change in a heartbeat here, especially along the coast, so be sure to check the forecast and dress appropriately. Pro-tip: always carry waterproofs with you even if the forecast is for a dry day. You’ll thank us later! A pass from Go City can save you money while giving you the flexibility to visit Dublin attractions galore, including the Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin Zoo, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Malahide Castle and more. Things to do in Dublin in Spring March is a good time to tick off some of Dublin’s big hitters, while the weather is cool and the temptation to stay largely indoors remains strong. We’re talking Trinity College, with its legendary Book of Kells; the Guinness Storehouse, where your perfectly poured pint (119.5 seconds, fact fans) is complemented by glorious 7th-floor views of Dublin’s skyline; and world-class cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Ireland and the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI). Then of course there’s St Patrick’s Day (did we mention St Patrick’s Day?). Everyone should spend March 17 in Dublin at least once in their life; there’s truly no better place to celebrate the nation’s snake-chasing patron saint than right here in the capital. Revelers can expect a multi-day sensory extravaganza (usually running from March 15-19) that takes in live entertainment, funfairs, treasure hunts, art workshops, people (and animals) dressed as leprechauns and, of course, gallons of Guinness. The cobbled streets of Temple Bar, with their traditional Irish bars and folk music venues, are at the epicenter of the festivities, and the place to make new BFFs and unforgettable memories – well, at least until the next day when your powers of recall may be somewhat, shall we say, compromised. Don’t miss the huge St Patrick’s Day Parade, which weaves its colorful way along O’Connell Street from Parnell Square at around lunchtime on the 17th. April and May are the time for more sedate pursuits, as the mercury creeps gently upwards and those biblical St Patrick’s Day hangovers become a distant memory. Take a trip to the National Botanic Gardens with their beautifully restored Victorian conservatories, intricate herbaceous borders, and heaven-scent rose gardens. Or picnic on the lush lawns of St Stephen’s Green, a Victorian idyll of manicured pleasure gardens, vibrant flower beds, and sculptures and statues galore. See if you can spot James Joyce, W.B. Yeats and Arthur Guinness as you munch on your Tayto crisps. Spring is a fine time to explore Dublin on foot. Work up an appetite with a hike around fabulous Phoenix Park, home to herds of wild fallow deer, immaculate Victorian flower gardens, a prehistoric burial chamber and an ornamental lake. Afterwards, reward yourself with a walking tour of the city’s top foodie hotspots. Should the mood take you, you can also be out of the city and into the countryside in no time at all. Join a bus tour to the charming seaside village of Howth, where you might spot puffins, gannets and seals, as well as sampling some of Ireland’s finest fish and chips! Spring day trips to the Cliffs of Moher and otherworldly Wicklow Mountains also run regularly from the city center. What’s on: Dublin Spring Events Spring in Dublin isn’t just about St Patrick’s Day. In fact there are, to be sure, several more major festivals worthy of your attention. May is particularly busy, with both the Dublin Dance Festival and International Literature Festival to get involved in. The first is an all-singing, all-dancing toe-tapper of an event, spanning nearly three weeks in which the world’s finest dancers and choreographers strut their spectacular stuff on stages across the city. In addition to the many dance showcases – from traditional to contemporary – there are workshops, film screenings and discussions galore, as well as, of course, classes designed to turn you and your two left feet into a pirouetting, pasadoble-ing professional in no time at all. If you like nothing more than a good page turner, then the International Literature Festival Dublin is sure to be right up your street. And what better place to host the event than the city that bequeathed us such literary heavyweights as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Iris Murdoch, James Joyce, Bram Stoker and Maeve Binchy. Bookworms will be in clover thanks to an epic roster of readings, interviews and signings with household-name authors and debates and discussions on genres that run the gamut from children’s fiction to stately poetry. Save on things to do in Dublin Save on admission to Dublin attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Three kids with ice cream cones.

Things to do in Dublin in Summer

Ok ok, so the Caribbean it ain’t, but summer in Dublin is nevertheless a pleasant season defined by warm, (mostly) dry days, lively festivals and events aplenty, and evenings balmy enough to dine al fresco. Unsurprising, then, that the months of June to August are among Dublin’s most popular. Read on for our guide to visiting Dublin in summer, including Bloomsday and Dublin Pride celebrations, what to expect from the weather and, of course, the best places to sample the black stuff. Our guide includes: The Guinness Storehouse St Stephen’s Green Phoenix Park Dublin bike tours Temple Bar Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival The Wicklow Mountains Bloomsday Dublin Pride Visiting Dublin in Summer Dublin’s summers are pleasantly warm affairs with July – the hottest month of the year – having been known to hit (gasp!) the dizzy heights of the high 60s. This is Northern Europe after all, where ‘pleasantly warm’ is a relative term. So if you’ve been picturing sizzling Mediterranean beaches for your summer vacation, move along please, you’ve come to the wrong place. Like the weather here, summer tourism in Dublin is generally mild... with the occasional downpour. In other words, even though May to September is peak season in Ireland, the attraction queues are rarely overwhelming and, though hotel prices have – to be sure – increased with demand, there’s still plenty of affordable accommodation to be had, especially if you’re willing to stay a little outside of the center. However, there will still be occasions when tempers fray due to waiting times at, say, the popular Guinness Storehouse or Book of Kells, just as there will be times you’ll be glad you packed an umbrella and waterproof walking boots. As for what else you should pack for your summer adventure in Dublin, layers are your friend. While you might (just about) get away with short sleeves and bare legs on hotter days, you’ll be thankful for that cardigan and pair of comfy jeans after sunset. Things to do in Dublin in Summer Outdoor types rejoice! For Dublin is an adventurer’s paradise, with stacks of al fresco activities to get involved in both inside and outside the city. First up on our hotlist of recommendations is – and bear with us on this one – Dublin Bay’s beaches! Ok sure, it takes a brave soul to take the plunge and dive into the icy Irish Sea without first donning a wetsuit, but the sweeping sandy beaches along this stretch of coastline are perfect for picnics, scenic strolls and, well, just chilling on the sand with a good book and a glass of vino. Hit up Dollymount Strand (pictured) or Sandymount, or head a little further afield for the many #humblebrag Insta opportunities presented by beautiful beaches at Portmarnock, Killiney and Howth. Sticking with the outdoor theme, summer is as good a time as any to rent a bike and explore Dublin at your own pace. Pedal your way to big-ticket attractions including medieval Christ Church Cathedral, with its creepy crypt and resident (mummified) cat and rat. Wobble riverside to the historic Kilmainham Gaol Museum, famed for its role in the Easter Rising executions and Irish War of Independence, and essential to any meaningful understanding of Irish history and heritage. Don’t forget to stop off at the Guinness Storehouse for some much-needed refreshment along the way! Many of these attractions and tours are included with a pass from Go City, meaning you can save money if you plan to visit a few of them. Dublin’s lush public parks really come into their own in summer. Stroll the seemingly endless pathways of the sprawling Phoenix Park, a former royal hunting ground that’s home to herds of fallow deer, and is almost as big as Dublin itself! And picnic on the lawns of St Stephen’s Green, a verdant Victorian oasis at the end of busy Grafton Street, where a bust of James Joyce, abstract Henry Moore sculpture of W.B. Yeats and imposing statue of brewing magnate Arthur Guinness provide points of interest among the greenery, gardens and duckponds. Day trips to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and charming seaside village of Howth present further opportunities to experience Ireland’s wild, untamed beauty. Ramblers and romantics alike will also get a real kick out of the Wicklow Mountains south of the city, where long walks in otherworldly landscapes dotted with rivers, bogs and neolithic tombs will have you coming over all Bill Bryson. What’s on: Dublin Summer Events There’s plenty going on during summer in Dublin. Dublin Pride has been a June fixture in the city for 40 years, promising a rollicking roster of events celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, including queer-history walking tours, hard-hitting theatrical drama, world-class drag acts, lively club nights, live music and more. The festival’s focal point is the colorful Pride Parade, which sees O’Connell Street transformed into party central, as flamboyant floats and extravagantly costumed revelers wobble and weave their way down to Pride Village in Merrion Square. Bookworms will find much to enjoy on Bloomsday, which any James Joyce fan worth their salt will tell you falls on 16th June, as depicted in his novel Ulysses. In fact, Bloomsday runs for several days around the 16th, and features performances, readings and other events, many taking place at the very locations and establishments referenced in the book. Get into the spirit by dressing the part: think Edwardian garb including shawls, frilly blouses and fancy hats for the ladies, and Joyce-style britches, braces and straw hats for the lads. Similar in name only, Bloom is Ireland’s largest gardening festival and promises five days of green-fingered fun every June. Expect exquisitely presented gardens spanning some 10 acres of Phoenix Park, with a side order of celeb-chef cookery demonstrations and a difficult-to-resist artisan food market. In August, the Dublin Horse Show canters into town, bringing racing, showjumping and dressage events galore to the eager (and well-dressed) masses, as well as plenty of family fun including kids’ entertainment and pony rides. Last but by no means least, September’s Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival caps off the Dublin summer schedule with a welcome return to the beach. We’re talking two days of family fun in one of Ireland’s prettiest seaside towns. As the name suggests, you can expect some of the finest seafood this fair isle has to offer, as well as funfairs, treasure hunts, circus acts, Irish dancing, boat rides and stacks more. Save on things to do in Dublin Save on admission to Dublin attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Top 10 Local Dubliners Recommendations

Dublin is a great city to while away the hours walking among the cobbled streets, exploring the Georgian architecture, historic buildings and taking in all the culture and lifestyle of the Irish capital. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the tourist traps and miss out some of the quirky nuances of the city, so we asked around and asked some local Dubliners for their recommendations of things to do in the city to make the most out of Dublin and get a true sense of the city. From vintage shopping to bars and restaurants, read on to make the most of your trip to Dublin. Picnic in St Stephen’s Green When the weather’s nice take a picnic in St Stephen’s Green, Dublin’s most popular square and public park. Since 1880 it’s been the city’s place to rendezvous and you’ll see old couples walking hand in hand and children playing. The best thing to do is bring some food and drinks and sit out on the grass and enjoy this beautiful city. Complete with lakes and ducks, so you can even feed them your leftover sandwiches too! Grab a burger at Bobo’s Undeniably one of the best burger joints in Dublin, Bobo’s is known for its unbeatably tasty beef patties. All ingredients are locally sourced and the portions aren’t small, so it’s a great combo if you’re looking for filling Irish food. Bobo’s is a modest looking restaurant, with heaps of nostalgia, so you’ll feel right at home. We recommend their Dubliner burger – delicious! Local acts at Dublin Fringe Festival See some of the best artists, actors and musicians at the Dublin Fringe Festival. Sister festival of Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Dublin’s is just as good with some stand-out acts and undiscovered talents. This year it’s better than ever, with Circus acts, dance, comedy and the very popular Spiegeltent which is a great place to mingle with the locals over a pint. Get your vintage shopping fix If you like your fashion and experimenting with clothes from every era, then visit Loft Market, a great New York-style indoor fashion market brimming with stands and stalls from local fashion designers and hipsters, selling and buying unique vintage items and hand crafted clothes and accessories. From sunglasses, jewellery, shoes and both men’s and women’s clothes, you can find it all. Don’t be afraid of bargaining either! Catch the rugby at Croke Park Hosting Ireland’s home games, Croke Park is one of two of Dublin’s sporting arenas, but whose focus is purely rugby, welcoming the best players from around the world to its hallowed grounds. The Six Nations Rugby Tournament is one to get tickets for the next time it comes around and the Irish get fiercely competitive, so it’s always a fantastic atmosphere. Just be careful who you cheer for! Walk around Dubh Linn Gardens Just behind Dublin Castle – one of the main attractions in Dublin – are the Dubh Linn Gardens, tucked behind this historic building. It’s where the city drew its name, meaning ‘dark pool’, and it was recently landscaped into a stunning garden. It’s one of the lesser appreciated places in Dublin, and most tourists haven’t caught on yet, so you’ll be one of the few in the know! Treat yourself at Cake Café One of the best local haunts for a big slice of cake is the Cake Café, a must for those with a sweet tooth. It’s the perfect place for a mid-afternoon sugar hit and a great excuse to put your feet up after a day of sightseeing. All lovingly home-made, there’s all manner of home baking from cupcakes, to classic cakes and biscuits, even savoury pies, sandwiches and salads if you’re stopping off for lunch. Its vibrant table clothes and mismatched crockery give it an extra quirkiness, so alongside the food, it’s the perfect place if you like food blogging! Dance the jig at The Cobblestone The Cobblestone is one of the best places in Dublin to catch some traditional Irish folk music. Downstairs in the pub you’ll find the musician’s corner, welcoming local performers specialising in traditional Irish music. So if you want a real Irish experience, this is the place to go. Settle in with a pint of Guinness and make yourself at home in this proper Irish pub, serenaded with true Irish music. Beach walk at Dalkey Dublin is blessed with being near enough to the coast, so one of the best things to do is plan a day trip out to one of the many towns. One of our favourite places is Dalkey, a picturesque seaside coastal village complete with a historic castle. After you’ve visited the Castle and Heritage centre, stroll down to the beach for a brisk and blustery walk and take in the stunning scenery and jagged landscape of the natural cliffs and bright blue sea. Dublin Literary Pub Crawl One of the best things to do in Dublin is drink, according to the locals, however you can add a bit of culture into it on a Dublin Literary Pub Crawl which makes it slightly easier to recommend. This involves a tour of some of the best watering holes in the city, led by expert tour guides who will thrill you with fun facts and interesting stories of Dublin’s literary greats, from Joyce to Wilde. You’ll even get involved in pub quizzes along the way to make the most of your new found knowledge!

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