About the Festival
Dublin Book Festival is one of Ireland’s most successful and dynamic book festivals, running since 2006 in the heart of Ireland’s capital with its rich literary history. This annual public festival is a celebration of Ireland’s writers and publishers. It showcases, supports and develops Irish writers and publishing by programming and promoting Irish books and their authors, editors and contributors, all in an entertaining, festive, friendly and accessible environment.
Both established and emerging writers from a wide variety of genres come together to explore their books, share their insights, and engage in stimulating conversations with each other and their audiences; celebrating the art of writing and the power of storytelling. This year’s Flagship Festival takes place 4 – 8 November with the full programme coming in September. Pop-up events also take place earlier in the year. Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated.
The Dublin Book Festival was established in 2006 by Publishing Ireland, the all-island trade association for book publishers (itself 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 support of the Arts Council and other funders, and the assistance of a diverse range of partners.
Participating authors in recent years include Booker Prize winners Roddy Doyle, John Banville, Anne Enright and Paul Lynch, as well as Graham Norton, Claire Kilroy, Donal Ryan, Joseph O’Connor, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Sinéad Gleeson, Seán Hewitt, Cecelia Ahern and Jan Carson.
The flagship festival takes place each November with over 100 events across 5 days in venues throughout the city of Dublin, the 4th UNESCO City of Literature, including Dublin City Libraries, National Library of Ireland, Irish Writers Centre, The Gutter Bookshop, National Botanic Gardens, Royal Irish Academy, Royal Dublin Society, Fighting Words, and many more locations.
Pop-up events are also programmed throughout the year.
The diverse programme of events includes authors in conversation, panel discussions, book launches, anniversary events, literary walking tours, professional development events and creative workshops. Genres explored include everything from literary fiction, history, poetry and science to non-fiction, nature, spoken word, art, politics and children’s literature, with a full free programme of family and schools’ events. Special strands include the DBF After Dark evening series and a full day of events as part of Science Week.
This year we are delighted to have our Festival Hub in the iconic RIAM – Royal Irish Academy of Music in the heart of Dublin. The Festival Hub is a space where authors, publishers and audiences can meet and mingle, enjoying book signings, finding a quiet space to read, browsing the bookshop, taking part in drop-in activities including arts and crafts and scavenger hunts, or meeting other book lovers over a hot drink in the café. Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of readings, exciting and stimulating panel discussions, storytelling, and creative events for all the family to enjoy. At the heart of Dublin Book Festival is the belief that literature is for all, and we aim to foster a sense of community among literature enthusiasts from all walks of life, providing a welcoming space and offering an inspiring and engaging literary experience, in the heart of Dublin, for all book lovers.
The intimate festival is a showcase of Ireland’s exceptional literary talent and hardworking publishers from throughout the island. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Festival Team
Julianne Mooney Siron
Róisín Russell
Mathilde Murray
The Dublin Book Festival Board
Ronan Colgan (Chair)
Bridget Bhreathnach
Valerie Bistany
Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe
Caoimhe Fox
Mary Neville
Síne Quinn