MoLI, The Museum of Literature Ireland, was opened in Sept 2019, following a decade of work by UCD and The National Library of Ireland. Both brought much to the project, not least the NLI’s Joyce collections and UCD’s historic property, Newman House. The outcome is a new museum, on Stephen’s Green, celebrating Ireland’s writers and rich literary heritage; a national tribute to the world’s great storytellers.

The tour will introduce the museum’s treasures such as ‘Copy No. 1’ of Ulysses. You will also encounter many modern authors you know, and others you may have forgotten but will be glad to renew acquaintance with. The museum also has new immersive installations, bringing Irish storytelling across the centuries to life, including a look at the connections between Irish literature and international cities; an immersive audio-visual experience all these words, of Samuel Beckett’s novel, The Unnameable; and The Holy Hour: A Requiem for Brendan Behan. The latter reframes the long-caricatured Dublin writer, searches for a truer picture of the man, celebrates the centenary his birth, and mourns the essential tragedy of his short life. And much more.

The museum has a Writers Room, a beautiful, light-filled Georgian parlour overlooking its gardens.

The tour is on Wednesday 17 May 2023, starts at 11.00 am and finishes about 12.00. The cost is €10.00 per participant.  This event is for members only.

The excellent Commons Café (open from 10.30 am) is in the basement. Participants can visit for coffee prior to the tour, or lunch/ a snack immediately after (to avoid the lunch hour rush). Should the weather be good enough, the café has beautiful tranquil outdoor tables backing onto Iveagh Gardens. When finished snack/lunch participants may re-enter the museum, and revisit anything they found particularly interesting, or go to the shop.

Booking opens at 9.00am on May 3rd and closes on May 15th at 11.30