Blog

Five books you should read before you come to Dublin!

Before embarking on a trip to Dublin, we recommend that you read lots of literature that captures the essence of this vibrant city, which again will enrich your experience in profound ways. From the streets immortalized by James Joyce to the contemporary tales woven by modern authors, Dublin’s literary landscape offers a captivating glimpse into its history, culture, and people.

Here are five books that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of Dublin before you even set foot in its bustling streets. These are not tourist guides, but stories that will let you feel the breath and atmosphere of Dublin before you even arrive.

Five books worth reading before you come to Dublin!

1. “Dubliners” by James Joyce:
James Joyce’s “Dubliners” is a collection of short stories that vividly depict the everyday lives of Dubliners at the turn of the 20th century. From the struggles of ordinary people to moments of epiphany, Joyce’s writing captures the essence of Dublin with unparalleled insight and depth. Each story offers a glimpse into different facets of Dublin life, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the city’s rich tapestry of human experiences.

ulysses by james joyce

2. “Ulysses” by James Joyce:
Considered one of the greatest works of modernist literature, “Ulysses” is set in Dublin and follows the protagonist Leopold Bloom as he navigates the city over the course of a single day. James Joyce’s intricate prose and complex narrative style paint a vivid portrait of Dublin, incorporating its streets, landmarks, and inhabitants into the fabric of the story. Reading “Ulysses” offers not only an insight into Dublin’s physical landscape but also its cultural and historical significance.

3. “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt:
Frank McCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, “Angela’s Ashes,” provides a poignant account of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland, which shares many similarities with Dublin. Through vivid storytelling, McCourt offers a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of Irish life, capturing the spirit of resilience that defines the Irish people. While not set specifically in Dublin, “Angela’s Ashes” offers valuable insights into the broader Irish experience, making it a compelling read for visitors to the city.

4. “The Dublin Murder Squad Series” by Tana French:
For fans of mystery and crime fiction, Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series offers a captivating glimpse into the darker side of Dublin. Set against the backdrop of the city’s streets, parks, and neighborhoods, each book in the series follows a different detective as they unravel complex mysteries. Through French’s evocative prose and intricate plotting, readers are drawn into the heart of Dublin’s criminal underworld, providing a unique perspective on the city’s hidden depths.

5. “Dublin: A Portrait” by Joseph O’Connor:
“Dublin: A Portrait” by Joseph O’Connor serves as a comprehensive guide to the city, offering a blend of history, culture, and personal anecdotes. Through O’Connor’s eyes, readers are taken on a journey through Dublin’s streets, exploring its landmarks, neighborhoods, and hidden gems. More than just a guidebook, “Dublin: A Portrait” is a celebration of the city’s spirit, showcasing its resilience, creativity, and unique charm.

You can buy these and lots of other books at

By reading these five books before your visit to Dublin, you’ll not only gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s literary heritage but also enhance your understanding of its people, history, and culture.

Have you read any of the books? How did you enjoy them? Do you have any other book recommendations that you would like to share? Write a comment and let us hear from you!

Find out what’s happening in Dublin…

Would you like to know more about what’s happening in Dublin? Have you already booked your plane tickets and would like to know if there are any interesting festivals, concerts, or happenings while you are in Dublin? Or are you looking for an excuse to visit Ireland and Dublin in the coming weeks or months?

We have an up-to-date calendar presenting some of the most important upcoming events, festivals, concerts, and other happenings in the Irish capital. Not only does our Dublin Guide contain information about Dublin’s most important attractions, activities, programs, and museums, but you can now also find out what’s going on in Dublin.

Would you like to find out what’s taking place in Dublin? Click this link to find out what’s happening in Dublin!

Finally, we are updating the Dublin Guide again…

COVID-19 caused a setback for tourism all around the world. We had a setback as well, and if you look at the time of our last blog post, you will see that we were quite slow to produce content also the last two years before COVID. But, now we are back again!

Today, we have updated lots of our articles. We had quite a lot of broken links here and there. As a result, we have spent lots of time updating broken links and we have also tried to update some outdated information.

We have also added information about some upcoming events in Dublin, including the annual Christmas market at Dublin Castle. Besides information about the Christmas market, we have also created some other events for our events calendar. Take a look at all of it and thank you for dropping by our Dublin Guide.

Dublin Fringe Festival 2018

In the period between September 8th and September 23rd, the annual Fringe Festival will be arranged in Dublin. Are you a fan of culture, art, and discovering talent, the Fringe Festival might be something for you.

Every year there are Fringe Festivals arranged all across the world. In Dublin, the festival brings more than 30,000 people to the city, and every year they see performances and groups they have never seen before. After all, that is often what a fringe festival is about.

Few people go to the theatres, and tickets for such well-known theaters can be very expensive. At the fringe festival, smaller theater groups and artists get the chance to bring their work and acts out to a greater audience. This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for the artists but also for the audience to see and demystify the world of actors and theaters.

You can see these girls as well during the Fringe Festival in Dublin.
You can see these girls as well during the Fringe Festival in Dublin. Source

A Fringe festival definition

“Fringe festivals are all about providing an accessible avenue for independent theatre artists to produce and perform their work in front of an audience. The Fringe is really the essence of theatre; virtually anybody can submit a show to the Fringe and the festivals place no limits on content so shows can be bold, raw and uncensored.” (source: Huffington Post)

Dublin Fridge Festival 2018

It will be held between September 8th and September 23rd. Some of the topics that will be covered during the festival are Cabaret, Circus, Club, Comedy, Dance, Gig, Installation, Live Art & Visual Art, Music, Party, Radio, Spoken Word, Talks, Theatre, Young, and Radicals.

You can read more about the actual artists and program for the festival at the official website of the festival.

Enjoy your stay in Dublin. For more information about the most famous attractions in Dublin, the most popular activities, and other topics, look around in our Dublin Guide.