Presenting: Dublin Book Festival 2021

‘Bringing writers and readers together is what we do and we are so excited to be welcoming back writers and audiences to Dublin Book Festival in-person again!’

We are delighted to present the Programme for Dublin Book Festival 2021. This winter, from the 8th to 15th November, over 100 authors, interviewers, historians, visual artists and musicians will join us in Dublin for over fifty events. 

After a year and a half online events, the Dublin Book Festival is returning to venues throughout Dublin – and we’re bringing our audiences with us. Venues like Smock Alley Theatre, The Heritage Centre, Dublin Port, and the National Botanic Gardens will play host to this programme of events. 

Don’t worry if you’re not in Dublin, or if you’re not ready to walk into a full theatre just yet. We’ll be livestreaming two full days of our live events, and we have put together an exclusive online programme for you to enjoy wherever you are.  

On Monday 8th, we’re teaming up with RDS Library Speaker Series to bring you Icebound in the Arctic: Michael Smith in conversation with Turtle Bunbury. Join us online over your lunch break to learn about Captain Francis Crozier’s extraordinary life. 

In partnership with the Embassy of Chile in Ireland, we’re bringing Chilean writer Benjamín Labatut to Dublin Audiences. Dublin favourite Rick O’Shea will join the writer online to discuss When We Cease to Understand the World. 

We’re teaming up with RTÉ 1 Arena once more to bring you a Friday night special. We’ll be broadcasting live from Smock Alley with guests Roddy Doyle, Hugo Hamilton, Lisa Harding and Caitriona Lally. Tune in to RTÉ Radio 1 or pick up a ticket to join us at Smock Alley. 

Our Saturday morning favourite, Dublin City Libraries Readers’ Morning is back with a live audience this year. Niall MacMonagle is joined by Sarah Winman, Ann Ingle, and Luke Cassidy, followed by Dr Rosaleen McDonagh in conversation with Dr Emilie Pine. The events begin at 10am in Smock Alley Theatre, and if you’re not available to join us, check out our Livestream option.

So who’s Your Favourite Irish Trans Writer? In partnership with Gay Community News we’re bringing you an event with Irish trans writers Aoife Martin, Kit Fryatt and Fiona Leigh, and moderated by Irish trans writer James Hudson. We’ll be in Smock Alley Sunday morning with a live audience and of course, you have the option to join us via Livestream. 

This year our Children’s Programme offers Christmas storytelling with Siobhán Parkinson, a trip to the book doctor with Children’s Books Ireland or a writing workshop with Fighting Words. 

And for you teachers reading, we have a fully online, completely free Schools’ Programme available for you to browse. Sign your class up to learn what the Fowl Twins have been up to with Eoin Colfer or head to the edge of the world with Tabitha Plimtock and Erika McGann.  

Booking is now open (eek). Explore our full programme here.