Booklovers delight, the Dublin Book Festival is back with in-person events for 2021. Here are ten unmissable events at this year’s Dublin Book Festival.
This Dublin Book Festival welcomes authors, poets, illustrators, and booklovers to Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. Check out these unmissable events at this year’s Dublin Book Festival.
The festival begins on Monday 8 November and runs until 15 November. In 2020, the Dublin Book Festival made its online debut, and this year the festival is a mix of online and in-person events.
There are countless events taking place in some of Dublin’s favourite venues. There are also several events streamed online, meaning that no matter where in the world you are, you can enjoy a piece of Ireland’s rich literary culture.
Here are the top ten unmissable events at this year’s Dublin Book Festival.
10. RTÉ Radio 1 Arena – an evening of literary chats
Indulge yourself in an evening of literary conversations with some of Ireland’s finest writers at the Dublin Book Festival.
Authors Roddy Doyle, Lisa Harding, Hugo Hamilton, and Catriona Lally will discuss their latest works. This event will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1, so if you can’t attend, be sure to tune in!
When: Friday, 12 November, 7:00 pm
Tickets: €10
Book: HERE
Address: 7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin, D08 PX27
9. Stories from the Sea – discover Ireland’s deep connection to the sea
As an island nation, many of the Irish myths and legends involve the sea that surrounds us.
The waves perfectly set this live audience event in the Pumphouse at Dublin Port Heritage Centre; Jo Kerrigan will be discussing her book, which is a retelling of some of these wondrous tales. Be transported into the stories of the sea with this great event.
When: Sunday, 14 November, 2:30 pm
Tickets: €5
Book: HERE
Address: Port Centre, Alexandra Rd, North Dock, Dublin, D01 H4C6
8. Look! It’s a Woman Writer! – a heartwarming discussion
Éilis Ní Dhuibhne has compiled 21 testimonies from Irish female writers born in mid-20th-century Ireland. This online event is sure to be one of the unmissable events at this year’s Dublin Book Festival.
This discussion involves Éilis chatting to two respondents, Liz McManus and Mary O’Donnell, who discuss their lives as female writers in Ireland.
When: Tuesday, 9 November, 1:00 pm
Tickets: Free
Book: HERE
7. Takin’ the Mic with the Irish Writers Centre – a bilingual evening
This event makes a welcome return to the 2021 Dublin Book Festival. Enjoy an evening of poetry, prose, and song in Irish and English.
This event has been pre-recorded with 14 performers and will be live-streamed to the audience on Wednesday evening.
When: Wednesday, 10 November, 7:00 pm
Tickets: Free
Book: HERE
Address: 19 Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 E102
6. Sticking to the Facts – a discussion on how Ireland dealt with Covid-19
Join Professor Luke O’Neill, Mark Henry, and Aoife Barry as they embark on a journey through Ireland’s dealings with Covid-19.
Professor O’Neill, a renowned immunologist, discusses the importance of science in a global pandemic. While Mark Henry highlights some of the national achievements over the past 100 years, showcasing that Ireland has become a better place.
When: Saturday, 13 November, 5:00 pm
Tickets: €8 for the live audience event at Smock Alley Theatre. €5 to attend the live stream.
Book: HERE
Address: 7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin, D08 PX27
5. Your Favourite Irish Trans Writers – hear from trans writers themselves
With a growing appetite for trans fiction in Ireland, this event brings three Irish trans writers to Smock Alley Theatre to discuss their writing.
Discussing the pleasures and realities of trans writing in Ireland, this panel will also highlight the diverse writing created by Irish trans writers. Certainly one of the unmissable events at this year’s Dublin Book Festival.
When: Sunday, 14 November, 11:00 am
Tickets: €8 for the live audience event at Smock Alley Theatre. €5 to attend the live stream.
Book: HERE
Address: 7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin, D08 PX27
4. Crime in the City – perfect for crime-junkies
For those who enjoy crime fiction, this is one of the unmissable events at this year’s Dublin Book Festival.
Crime writers from four UNESCO Cities of Literature meet to discuss their home cities’ influence on their writing. Other topics of discussion at this online event include why they chose crime fiction as their genre.
When: Tuesday, 9 November, 7:00 pm
Tickets: Free
Book: HERE
3. Ireland 1922: Women in Independence, Debate and Civil War – a discussion on the role of women in Ireland in 1922
Author and academic Marie Coleman will chair this panel of three historians. Join the panel for an afternoon of fascinating discussion on women in independence, debate, and civil war.
This online event promises to shed an interesting light on how the war influenced our understanding of modern Ireland.
When: Wednesday, 10 November, 1:00 pm
Tickets: Free
Book: HERE
2. Reclaiming the European Street: Speeches on Europe and the European Union – a discussion with the Irish president
Enjoy an afternoon with President Michael D. Higgins as he discusses his latest book with author, journalist, and lecturer Paddy Woodworth.
The president’s book is a collection of all of his Europe-themed speeches from 2016 to 2020. Issues discussed include the 1916 Centenary celebrations, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
When: Saturday, 13 November, 2:30 pm
Tickets: €8 for the live audience event at Smock Alley Theatre. €5 to attend the live stream.
Book: HERE
Address: 7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin, D08 PX27
1. An Post Irish Book Awards Shortlist Panel at Dublin Book Festival – a chat with the best
Meet some of the shortlisted authors from the An Post Irish Book Awards at this unmissable event at the Dublin Book Festival.
Those shortlisted will chat to Madeleine Keane, literary editor with the Sunday Independent. Attendees can expect to gain an insight into their writing lives and get tips and advice on writing.
When: Sunday, 14 November, 4:30 pm
Tickets: €10 for the live audience event at Smock Alley Theatre. €5 to attend the live stream.
Book: HERE
Address: 7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin, D08 PX27
