Dublin’s Literary Heroes and Heritage

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.