About the Festival

The Dublin Book Festival is one of Ireland’s most successful and vibrant book festivals, running since June 2006. The annual public festival showcases, supports and develops Irish publishing by programming, publicising and selling Irish published books, their authors, editors and contributors – all in an entertaining, festive, friendly and accessible environment that reflects the creativity and personality of the Irish publishing sector and its authors.

The Dublin Book Festival was established in 2006 by Publishing Ireland, the all-island trade association for book publishers, established in 1970, to celebrate all that is best in Irish writing and publishing. It has grown to become one of Ireland’s most successful and vibrant annual book events, with the assistance of a range of partners and the support of the Arts Council and other funders.

Taking place in November, the festival programmes over 60 events in venues throughout the city of Dublin, including Dublin City Libraries, National Library of Ireland, Irish Writers Centre, The Gutter Bookshop, The National Botanic Gardens, Dublin Port, Fighting Words and many more locations.

Authors taking part in Dublin Book Festival, talking during panel discussion at book festival in Ireland

Child at book festival in Ireland, enjoying event at Dublin Book Festival children's programme

The diverse programme covers everything from history, poetry and science to literary fiction, non-fiction, comedy, and a full family and schools’ programme. A festival hub is set up in our primary venue, which in 2022 was The Printworks at Dublin Castle, where authors, publishers and audiences mingle over the weekend. The Winter Garden is a space where audiences gather to lounge on beanbags and read, browse the bookshop, enjoy the café and meet authors at book signings.

The intimate festival is a showcase of the exceptional homegrown talent and hardworking publishers from throughout the island of Ireland.

In 2023, we are delighted to welcome you back to The Printworks with a variety of author talks, poetry events, walking tours, creative events and more, celebrating the writers, publishers and illustrators from this island. We look forward to seeing you there!