The 27th Dublin International Literature Festival returns to Merrion Square Park, this year boasting a massive 230 events, including more than 35 family friendly affairs. Showcasing a varied cadre of authors, speakers, creatives and performers, including actor Richard E. Grant, novelists Marian Keyes, Amor Towles and Marilynne Robinson, the pride of Irish storytelling in Seanchoíche, and author and illustrator Liz Pichon, to name but a few. A mandatory outing for those who enjoy discussions, debates, cross-cultural conversations and insights into the creative process, the festival offers much more for all ages and interests. We’ve compiled five picks to whet your appetite.
A Pocketful of Richard E. Grant
Famed for his unforgettable roles in ‘Withnail & I’, ‘Saltburn’ and criminally underrated art house horror, ‘Spice World’, the actor here discusses his new book, ‘A Pocketful of Happiness’. Named for a promise he made to his beloved late Joan Washington, his new memoir reflects upon his marriage, parenthood, and the highs and lows of his storied Hollywood career, amid a host of hilarious anecdotes and more mindful musings from one of cinema’s greatest treasures.
Fri 17 May, 20:00, Merrion Square Park – Speranza
A Dublin Murdle Mystery
A unique, interactive murder mystery event inspired by ‘Murdle: Even More Killer Puzzles, where participants will assist Detective Logico in solving sinister riddles and bringing an imaginary assassin to justice. G.T. Karber, author and mastermind behind the puzzle book will be on hand to help would be sleuths.
Fri 17 May, 18:00, Merrion Square Park – Byzantium
Damsels Not Distressed
An alternative and unsettling venture into dark tales and reimagined legends that feature young women who turn the old trope of damsels in distress on its head. Irish author Oein DeBhairduin and Dutch author Annet Schaap host a tense storytelling session that takes the traditional tales and reimagines them as eerie, enchanting stories for the modern world. A golden opportunity to join two master storytellers in a unique, fresh take on a spooky story.
Sat 18 May, 15:00, Merrion Square Park – Le Fanu
Joycean Dublin
Nicola Harris of Artful Tours will be leading a Ulyssean walk through Dublin, visiting not only locations the wordsmith discussed in his 1920 opus, but also vistas and venues that inspired James Joyce and the people most influential to him. From Grafton Street to Merrion Square, participants will see some of the iconic places he immortalized and also spots of personal significance, like the place he met his wife and muse, Nora Barnacle.
Sun 19 May, 11:00, Merrion Square Park – Hippocampus
Seanchoiché
The now legendary and essential storytelling gathering is taking place in the intimate confines of the Speranza. As always, an evening of connection, communication, and a chance to speak personal truths out loud. Billed as “a safe space for ordinary people to share their extraordinary stories. Through poetry, comedy, spoken word, or storytelling, this event is full of empathy, catharsis, laughter, tears and joy. Whether it’s your first time ever speaking in front of a crowd or you’re a veteran performer, Seanchoíche is an opportunity to stand up and speak from the heart.”
The evenings are always emotive, incredible events in and of themselves, but if you’d like to tell a story, attendees can fill out a form once they’ve booked tickets if they think they’d like to stand up. At these wonderful, always unique events, more than half of those speaking have never done so before, so visitors are encouraged to indulge the raconteur that lives within us all.
Wed 22 May, 19:30, Speranza, Merrion Square Park
Dublin International Literature Festival takes place between Friday May 17th and Sunday May 26th. Ticket bookings and the full programme can be viewed here.
Words: Adhamh Ó Caoimh
