Main Programme

The O’Brien Press evolved out of a family-run printing and type house to become one of the country’s leading publishers. Join us for a celebration of fifty years of independent publishing with the joint launch of a new edition of O’Brien Press’s first book, the classic Me Jewel and Darlin’ Dublin by Eamonn MacThomáis, and […]

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This year, to mark the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann is proud to dedicate our Dublin Book Festival event to our first Honorary Member, Kurdish poet İlhan Sami Çomak, one of Turkey’s longest-serving political prisoners. Joining us will be: Paula Meehan, poet; Caroline Stockford, PEN Norway, İlhan’s friend and translator; Ipek […]

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Tá Takin’ the Mic ag Féile Leabhar Bhaile Átha Cliath le hghaidh sár-oíche filíochta, focal labhartha agus grinn i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge. Arna óstáil ag M.C. Zainab Boladale le léamha ó aoi speisialta Soula Emmanuel chomh maith le ‘mic oscailte’ do scríbhneoirí, filí agus ceoltóirí. Fáilte roimh chách! Takin’ the Mic returns to Dublin […]

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Presented in association with Dublin Book Festival, Introductions | Céadlínte is a Poetry Ireland/Éigse Éireann showcase of 16 of the most exciting new poets writing in English and Irish on the island of Ireland today. The poets were selected by Stephen Sexton and Aifric MacAodha.  We’ll have a musical guest along on the night. Introductions […]

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Join us at our DBF After Dark Festival Club to unwind after a busy day of festival events. Enjoy readings by poets Jackie Lynam and Molly Twomey, with music by Kíla’s James Mahon. Then stick around after the event to meet and mingle over a drink in the bar.   This is an 18+ event. […]

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All aboard the Dublin Book Festival book train from Cork to Dublin! Cork Stories (Doire Press), edited by Madeleine D’Arcy and Laura McKenna, is a collection of short fiction set throughout Cork by writers who live or have lived there. Join the editors, and contributor Danielle McLaughlin, for this unique reading and writing train journey. […]

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Join us for a special morning with two bestselling authors in conversation about their gripping new novels. Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy (Hachette Ireland) by Rachael English is a rollercoaster journey exploring the rise and mysterious fall of Ireland’s trailblazing 1980s all-woman rock band, The Diamonds, who were on the brink of success before vanishing. […]

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The Irish Writers Handbook 2025 is your essential guide to writing and getting published, with contributions from acclaimed authors and book industry professionals. To mark the launch of this year’s expanded and updated edition join the handbook’s publisher Ronan Colgan (Wordwell), Deirdre Nolan (Eriu), Ruth Hegarty (Royal Irish Academy), and Patrick O’Donoghue (Gill Books), as […]

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Artist Nell lives on a wild and rugged island, between the reclusive commune of Inions up on the cliff and the strange murmurings that seem to emanate from within the depths of the island. When the Inions invite Nell into the commune, Nell will discover things about the community and about herself that will challenge […]

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Starting off in the historic surrounds of Dublin Castle, join Pat Liddy or one of his expert guides, on a tour of the old city to learn about some of the most famous writers associated with Dublin, from at least the 18th century to modern times. During this 2-hour tour you will pass by iconic […]

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Described ‘as if Flann O’Brien had written Alice Through the Looking-glass’ and set in 1930’s Dublin and London, Jabberwock (Dedalus) tells of a dastardly republican plot to bring down the United Kingdom by the spreading of a counterfeit language. In a story in which language runs riot and fonts and footnotes proliferate alarmingly, the plot […]

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Join broadcaster Luke Clancy for a live recording of RTÉ lyric fm’s The Culture File Debate, as our writers’ panel champions the birds that set their quills aflutter. For the program, writers John Banville, Orit Gat, Sara Baume, and Paddy Woodworth will help us discover how birds—from the resilient pigeon to the enchanted crane—glide through […]

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