In this itinerary, you’ll find some of the locations where our literary legends lived and found their creative inspiration.
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Embark on a luxurious escape taking in the wondrous and exclusive site throughout Ireland's Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin.n this itinerary, you’ll find some of the locations where our literary legends lived and found their creative inspiration. It can be enjoyed in one trip via Dublin, or can be split up into shorter trips via main access points, including Belfast, Knock, Shannon and Cork. Whichever way you plan your itinerary, visitors will get the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of Ireland’s great wordsmiths and storytellers – and perhaps be inspired to put pen to paper! This is a sample itinerary offering suggestions and ideas for planning trips. Please contact your local Tourism Ireland representative for further information. The details: Nearest airports: Dublin Airport, Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, Ireland West Airport Knock, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport. Total distance: 1,149km
James Joyce
Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre
Morning Arrive in Dublin – a UNESCO City of Literature – and head straight from the airport to the Royal Marine Hotel in the seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire. It’s off out for a walk along the coast to Sandycove, where James Joyce’s epic novel Ulysses begins. Drop into the James Joyce Tower and Museum, located in the very 19th century Martello tower that features in the book, and find out more about one of Ireland’s greatest writers. Lunch Book ahead for lunch at Deville’s in Dalkey (lunches Friday, Saturday and Sunday) or Caviston’s in Glasthule (Tuesday to Saturday). Afternoon Take a stroll around the southside village of Dalkey – it was here that author Maeve Binchy lived for much of her life. Book a guide for the Famous Irish Writers walk from Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre (minimum of six per tour and advance booking essential). Then visit the garden dedicated to her at Dalkey Library and see her house on Sorrento Drive. Overnight Dine out in Oliveto at Haddington House in Dun Laoghaire and then overnight in the Royal Marine Hotel.
Oscar Wilde “talking statue”
Dublin Castle
Morning Leave the south side of Dublin and head off towards the city centre, where Oscar Wilde started his glittering career from No 1 Merrion Square. Walk around the park in the centre of Merrion Square and you’ll find the “talking statue” of Wilde himself. Award-winning author John Banville wrote the homage to Wilde, which is narrated by Sherlock and Fleabag actor, Andrew Scott. Visit Trinity College, where Dracula creator Bram Stoker studied, and explore the history of Dublin Castle, where he worked for many years. Alternatively, book ahead for a Literary Walking Tour of Dublin, which takes in all the sights along with many anecdotes. Lunch Book at table at the Winding Stair Restaurant and Bookshop, named after the WB Yeats poem. Afternoon Continue your Bram Stoker journey with a visit to Clontarf where you can explore the writer’s dark world at Castle Dracula. It’s back to the city centre then for the Dublin Writers Museum at Parnell Square. Writers including Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce and Samuel Beckett are among those presented through their books, letters, portraits and personal items. Overnight Dine out in Pichet and overnight in the award-winning Fitzwilliam Hotel, located on St Stephen’s Green.
CS Lewis Square
Mourne Mountains
Morning Leave the city behind and head north to County Monaghan. The story of its most famous son, 20th century poet Patrick Kavanagh, is told in the Patrick Kavanagh Rural And Literary Resource Centre in Inniskeen. Book a tour from the centre, or pick up a Patrick Kavanagh Trail Guide to visit local sites from the poet’s life. Explore for a couple of hours before heading to Belfast for lunch. Lunch Book ahead for the lunch menu at Ox Belfast. Afternoon It’s said that author CS Lewis was inspired to create the magical land of Narnia by the dramatic landscapes of the Mourne Mountains, Tollymore Forest Park and Carlingford Lough. The Belfast-born writer is celebrated throughout the city, and you can walk the self-guided CS Lewis Trail from outside Holywood Arches Library up to CS Lewis Square, which is filled with statues of his fabulous characters. If you have more time, call in to the Linen Hall Library, the oldest library in Belfast. Founded in 1788, it is home to a wonderful collection of books by and about CS Lewis. Overnight Book a table for dinner at Stix & Stones, and overnight in the Bullitt Hotel.
Lough Erne Resort
Seamus Heaney Homeplace
Morning Head west to discover more about poet and Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, in County Londonderry. Another writer rooted to the land, Heaney grew up on a farm just outside the village of Bellaghy and is buried in the churchyard here. Admirers of his work can visit Seamus Heaney HomePlace to learn more about his work and his background. Lunch Book a table at Café Merlot in Blakes of the Hollow, Enniskillen, for lunch. Afternoon Novelist and playwright, Samuel Beckett, attended Portora Royal School before becoming one of the most famous and inventive writers in the English language. He won a Nobel Prize for his wit and innovation, and it’s here you can see where the young genius honed his talent. Overnight Check into Lough Erne Resort and dine out in one of three restaurants here.
Glencar Lake
Lissadell House
Morning For many, WB Yeats was the voice of Ireland as it moved towards independence, and his memory is honoured in his home county of Sligo. Make a stop at Glencar, on the border between Leitrim and Sligo: it was by this lake, with its "pools among the rushes/that scarce could bathe a star", that Yeats was inspired to write his beloved poem, "The Stolen Child". Leaving here, head onto the classically restored Lissadell House, ancestral home of Yeats’s great friend, Constance Gore-Booth, later Countess Markievicz. Lunch Enjoy home-baked food at the Lissadell Tea Rooms. Afternoon Choose from a variety of nature trails to suit all abilities, including a walkway that circles Ireland’s own “table mountain”, Ben Bulben, followed by a visit to the poet’s grave at Drumcliffe Cemetery. Overnight Book ahead for an evening of entertainment at Broc House’s Yeats Dining Experience, where foodies Damien Brennan and Paula Gilvarry pair fine foods with poetry. Dinner is available for groups from 10 to 50. Check into the Ice House Hotel in Ballina, County Mayo.
Galway city
Limerick city
Morning Much of today will driving between Ballina and Limerick city. If not on a tight schedule, take the scenic route along the Wild Atlantic Way, stopping off in Galway city for lunch, and a chance to browse in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, where you’ll find thousands of new, bargain and second-hand books. Lunch Enjoy the fruits of the sea with fish and chips at the Quay Street Kitchen. Afternoon Drive on to a town called Tuamgraney in County Clare, the hometown of novelist Edna O’Brien. Famous for so offending the authorities that they banned her books and denounced her from the church pulpit, O’Brien’s work has played a notable role in changing attitudes in Irish society. You can find a plaque honouring her outside Drewsborough House where she was born. Overnight Check into The George Limerick at the heart of the city centre and enjoy dinner at La Cucina, an award-winning Italian restaurant.
Hunt Museum
Morning Before delving into the landmarks so powerfully captured in Frank McCourt’s memoir, Angela’s Ashes, enjoy the city that it is today. Limerick is a buzzing, happy city and its rich cultural life is on display in world-renowned museums, such as the Hunt Museum, as well as the Limerick City Gallery of Art, housed in the historic Carnegie Building. Lunch Enjoy delicious artisan food in Hook & Ladder on Sarsfield Street, Limerick. Afternoon Book in advance for the Angela’s Ashes Walking Tour. It starts at the Limerick Tourist Office and it goes through the laneways, parks and squares that McCourt once wandered, including the street where he lived and the school he attended. Overnight Head towards Wexford town for dinner at the Thomas Moore Tavern, then check into Ferrycarrig Hotel.
Enniscorthy
Morning Leave Wexford town and head for Enniscorthy, hometown of Colm Tóibín. It’s hard to name a form of writing that Tóibín hasn’t made his own. His work spans novels, short stories, essays, plays, journalism and poetry. It’s no surprise that his sisters and aunts inspired much of his work, including the novel and subsequent acclaimed movie, Brooklyn. The film was shot here, and you can visit the locations on the Brooklyn Movie Bus Tour. Lunch Enjoy a deli-style lunch in the award-winning Wilds Café in Enniscorthy before departing for Dublin Airport and home.
This is a sample itinerary to offer suggestions and ideas for planning trips. You can contact your local Tourism Ireland representative here for further information. Please note, any mention of specific product on this itinerary is meant to be used only as an example and does not represent an endorsement of that product by Tourism Ireland.