Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Trinity College
- Sweny's
Photos & Highlights
- Follow in the footsteps of Dublin's most illustrious writers
- Led by a local historian
Select a date
Tour Description
Strolling through Dublin's idyllic streets, it can be easy to question whether you're walking through an actual city or a fantastic, novelistic of it, as so many great books have been written and set here. During this 3-hour Dublin Literary Tour we'll look at the city's most illustrious writers, including James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, W. B. Yeats, and Oscar Wilde, visit some key sites where they either worked or depicted, and explore how they shaped Dublin, and vice versa.
Our tour begins in Merrion Square, once home to Oscar Wilde and a cornerstone of Dublin’s cultural life. Here, we’ll explore the religious and social dynamics of 19th- and early 20th-century Dublin and their influence on literary greats like Wilde, James Joyce, and W.B. Yeats. Moving on to the National Library and Trinity College, we’ll delve into the academic and cultural institutions that shaped Dublin’s literary scene, visiting locations frequented by these authors and their contemporaries. Along the way, we’ll immerse ourselves in the cityscapes that inspired their works, uncovering the personal and professional circles that defined their lives.
Our journey will center on James Joyce, whose deep connection to Dublin resonates throughout his works, particularly Ulysses. Together, we’ll explore locations tied to his life and fiction, including the hotel where he met Nora Barnacle and a historic shop lovingly maintained by Joycean scholars. We’ll bring the novel to life by reading an excerpt in its original setting, followed by a discussion over drinks at a nearby pub. By the tour’s end, we’ll have woven together Dublin’s literary heritage and the enduring legacy of its remarkable authors.
- Is the interior visit of Book of Kells included? No, we do not visit the Book of Kells interiorly, but you can still add the tickets at checkout and visit it on your own at the end of the tour.
- Is this tour accessible if I have mobility concerns? While we don't cover a large distance on the tour, nor do we take a fast pace, we will be walking the entire tour which includes cobblestoned streets. There are occasional opportunities to sit. If you have mobility concerns, please feel free to contact us before booking; we can help you decide if our group walk or a private walk, with a modified route, will be best.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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65 Reviews
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Kevin was outstanding in every way. Extremely knowledgeable, friendly, tolerant of our endless questions. He seemed to know everything about every topic. Very highly recommended!
Christie
Reviewed on:
Jul 1, 2023
Arran was a fantastic guide! Full of energy, knowledge. He was a joy. We love Context tours!
Stewart
Reviewed on:
Jun 14, 2023
Thank you SOOO much - Dairine was amazing!!!! I felt like we saw almost ALL of Dublin, literature, art, quick lunch - she was super knowledgeable and more importantly a great window into Irish culture and history! This was the best investment ever into gaining a first hand perspective about what makes Ireland so amazing and Dublin such a cultural hub. We are beyond grateful that we found your company and our amazing guide!!
Michele
Reviewed on:
Apr 23, 2023
