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Beckett, Bob Dylan., Bramstoker, Dublin Writers Museum, Handle, Irish Writers, Joyce, Oliver St John Gogarty, Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl, Wilde
I am not one for clichéd tourist destinations, always having preferred to browse the shelves of Shakespeare and Co in Paris rather than visit the Eiffel Tower. I am proud to say I have never been to Egypt or the pyramids, happy to leave that to the 3 million people who go there every year.
Between my husband and myself we have managed to coin a new term ‘rent a crowd.’ Examples of ‘Rent a Crowd,’ include people who go to Glastonbury just so they can say ‘I’ve been to Glastonbury,’ or those who insist on paying extortionate prices for their yearly skiing holiday just to keep up with their corporate friends. I think you get the idea. People who can’t think for themselves and prefer a follow the crowd.
Anyway I digress. Gaping mouths, head shaking, ‘but why?’ are just a few of the reactions we have had to choosing Ireland as a holiday destination this year. This just gives us more satisfaction in knowing that we will never be ‘rent a crowd.’
England may have given Ireland the English Language, but Ireland has sure as hell given them the literature. From Yeats, Swift, Shaw, Bramstoker and Wilde to Joyce, Beckett, C.S Lewis and Heaney, the list of iconic writers who were either born in Ireland, or who hold Irish citizenship just goes on and on.
The Irish literary tradition is one of the most illustrious in the world, famous for four Nobel prize winners and for many other writers of international renown. Dublin is one of only seven UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization) cities of literature in the world, along with Norwich, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Iowa, Reykjavik and Krakow. If you think historically; mass immigration from Ireland following the potato famine and also later during periods of conflict, is probably one of the reasons Melbourne, Norwich and Edinburgh have become literary capitals in their own right.
Located in the heart of Dublin, at No 18, Parnell Square, the Dublin Writer’s Museum is only a five minutes walk from O’Connell Street. The original-eighteenth century house which accommodates the museum rooms, library, gallery and cafe is spectacular and deserves a visit in its own right. No 19, Parnell Street houses the Irish Writer’s Centre, containing meeting rooms and offices of the Irish Writers Union, the society of Irish Playwrights, the Irish Children’s Book Trust and the Translators Association of Ireland.
The brain child of journalist and author Maurice Gorham (1902-1975), the museum opened in November 1991 to promote interest in Irish literature as a whole and in the lives and works of Irish writers.
The writers chosen to feature in the museum are those who have made an important contribution to Irish or international literature or, on a local level, to the literature of Dublin. It is very much a view of Irish Literature from a Dublin perspective. I am afraid you will have to head to Belfast if you want to learn more about C.S Lewis.
Room one presents the history of Irish literature from the beginning to the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the literary revival. Room two is entirely devoted to great writers of the twentieth century. Living writers, even those who have already established a place in history are not included in the display.
At the top of the grand staircase is the Gorham library with its exquisite Stapleton ceiling. Here is the museum’s reserve of books, including rare first editions and critical works. There are also displays of volumes from special collections.
In the museum collections itself are of course the books representing milestones in the progress of Irish Literature from Gulliver’s Travels, Dracula, The Importance of Being Ernest, Ulysses and Waiting for Godot. With most being first or early editions, recapturing the moment when they were first unleashed on the world.
There are books inscribed to Oliver Gogarty by W.B Yeats and to Brinsley Mac Namara by James Joyce, while a first edition of Patrick Kavanagh’s The Greatest Hunger includes in the poets own hand a stanza which the prudish publisher declined to print.
Of course there are the famous pens, pipes and typewriters you would expect of such a museum. However there are some curious personal possessions you may not expect, such as Lady Gregory’s lorgnette, Austin Clarke’s desk, Samuel Beckett’s telephone, May Levis’ teddy bear, and Brendan Behan’s union card, complete with fingerprints.
However for me the two greatest treasures were James Joyce’ piano and Handel’s chair used at the 1742 premiere of ‘Messiah,’ held in Dublin. Interestingly ‘Messiah’ didn’t get its London premiere until nearly a year later.
Another top tip for Dublin would be the ‘Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl,’ which begins coincidentally at the Oliver St. John Gogarty’s pub, on the corner of Fleet St. & Anglesea St., Temple Bar, Dublin 2. It is led by two professional Irish musicians who perform tunes and songs, while telling the story of Irish Music and it’s influences on contemporary world music.
If you are up on your music history you will know that the Irish famine triggered mass emigration to America. The storytelling and traditional music of Ireland went with these people. Out of this merging of cultures came folk music. Bob Dylan still talks about how much he has been influenced by the story telling and music of Ireland. He is particularly fond of Irish myths such as those of Cuchulain.
Irish music also mixed with the music of American Afro Caribbean slaves to produce, blues and then rock and roll. For that we will always be indebted to traditional Irish music. I can also assure you that you’ll only hear authentic acoustic Irish music on this tour and none of that amplified ‘Danny Boy’ rubbish that makes true Irish musicians shudder. Remember it’s not traditional Irish music if there is an amplifier involved.
If you are a creative person like myself then Ireland is a dream destination. I will always be proud of the Irish blood that runs through my veins.
That looks so interesting! I’ve been told many times that my Irish ancestry is why I’m creative and I am very proud of my literary and musical talents passed, I’m sure, through that ancestry.
I’m glad you found the post interesting. I am sure your Irish ancestry explains a lot about your creative talents. It’s just so embedded in Irish culture. It is lovely to meet you. Emma.
Thank you. Between Irish and Native American blood I’m sure I was born in to being a flute playing writer 😉
I enjoy the way that you write. It is very nice to meet you as well.
Wow Native American. Now that’s one thing I certainly can’t claim to be. I love Native American mythology. Are there any books you know of about this subject that you would recommend? Have a great week. Emma.
The author Tim Tingle is a Choctaw and first of his people to really collect stories from the old timers and put them down on paper. While not always dealing directly with the mythology, the beliefs are such a big part of their lives that each story is twined with this oral tradition. I would suggest Walking the Choctaw Road first, but even his middle grade books are about the belief system and mythologies of his people.
I would also suggest just doing a search for Trickster tales or Native American Mythology in books. There are so many wonderful books that I couldn’t possibly list them all. Some tribes have many similar stories and then a few that are just off the wall in their personal pantheon of myths. For example: Cherokee legend states that there are Leprechauns in the MidWest states.
Thank you so much for these suggestions. I am now following your blog and look forward to chatting to you again soon. Emma.
Thank you very much. I hope you enjoy the Native mythologies, and my stuff too 🙂
Beth
What a fun sounding holiday! I am with you on avoiding the trendy,or crowded vacation spots. Here the biggie is Disney World. The thought of a holiday there makes me cringe
Thank you for your kind comments. I agree Disney sounds like my kind of hell. Have a great week. Emma.
Thanks. I’ve visited there too and enjoyed lingering. Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox (plugged in now).
Hi Thom,
It’s a real gem of a museum isn’t it. My husband gets tired of being dragged in there every time we go to Dublin. I can’t visit Dublin without going back to the writer’s museum. It is lovely to meet you. Emma.
Thanks Thom. The Witers Museum in Dublin is a real treasure isn’t it? I could never get tired of that place. Have a great week. Emma.
I love a museum dedicated to writers. What a lovely walkthrough, thanks!
It would definitely be your kind of place. Have a great week. Emma.
It is good to be reminded of this powerful heritage of Irish writing. A splendid literary safari, and yes, good to get away from the crowds. Thanks for visiting my blog btw.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I hope your mother is well. Have a lovely week. Emma.
I share your desire to be away from the crowd and your appreciation of the genius of Irish writers … and I believe you like food too!
Thanks Simon. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Emma.
Reblogged this on Gabriella West and commented:
I stumbled on Emma Barrett’s blog today and was fascinated to see her description of her visit to the Dublin Writers Museum, which opened in 1991 (three years after I left Ireland, which is why I’ve never been there—but I’m shocked that I hadn’t even heard of it!). I love good travel writing and this is a fine example.
Hi Gabriella,
You have made my weekend. I have never been reblogged before, so thank you so much for that. Thank you for all your kind comments, you have given me confidence in my writing again. It is lovely to chat to you. Have a great week. Emma xx
I love finding destinations that are off the beaten path! I detest crowds and often find myself miserable in touristy locations. Your holiday location sounds quite perfect! It’s always important to find something that makes you happy 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the post Heather. The Dublin writers museum is a real treasure. Have a great week and I hope Maya is behaving herself. Emma xx
What a thorough guide you are and you put me to shame…I took my American husband home last year and If only I had shown him half these sights!
Although we did scour Dublin for every statue, artifact and bust of Joyce, Wilde and Yeats that we could stroke, kiss or photograph. We continued this practice westward to Galway, Sligo and Connemara in the hope that it would awaken the genius in us…Still waiting for the magic to happen…any day now 🙂
I am so glad you enjoyed the post. You’ll have to use the writer’s museum as an excuse to take your husband back to Dublin. Have a great week. Emma.
The museum has been on my list of “must see” for awhile now and your post just made it all the more alluring.Thank you so much for sharing and for checking out my blog!
You would love it I’m sure! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Take care. Emma.
I am a self-made bibliophile as well as a food blogger, so this post is a win-win for me! I love the photos of the special books.
I am so glad you enjoyed the post. It is a gem of a museum. Emma.
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I love a non-rent-a-crowd holiday! I would defo love to go back to Ireland, having only been when I was little and not remembering much of it. This museum looks really interesting and I’m glad you had so much fun 🙂
I would recommend the museum highly. You would love it. Emma.
I think Ireland would be a great place to go for a vacation. There are some lovely places and I’d love to go to those places that you’ve shown.
I would recommend Ireland highly. The people are so friendly and the service is great too, even in less expensive places. Dublin is very busy but fun. If you prefer beauty and serenity you should go to West Cork (see my paddling through stars post). West Cork is like heaven on earth and I am not exaggerating. Emma.
Didn´t know the Irish where so much into the creative, I thought they just talked funny and drank a lot….which are both things I like.
Kidding, remember me! Long time no read, I have dropped out of the radar for some time. This was a great post, Dublin even has a museum just for writers, who would have known that. Since I live in Spain, it shouldn´t be all that difficult to travel there, plus me neither like to go on those “prepared” trips and about those egyptians mountains….no way. I prefer cold watery weather compared to that oven. I´m still baffled that there is actually a writers museum, seems like a great place to go.
Hi,
If you don’t mind the cold watery weather then Ireland is definitely the place for you. Like Scotland you can experience all four seasons in one day. Dublin is very busy, but lots of fun. If you prefer beauty and serenity I would recommend Cork highly (see my paddling through stars post). It is pretty close to Spain too so the locals love the Spanish. Take care. Emma.
Sounds great
I reckon my husband and I would get on very well with you and your hubby. We don’t do the touristy thing either and much prefer enjoying things off the beaten track.
Have beautiful day Emma.
🙂 Mandy xo
If I had more time when I was in Dublin and the weather had been worse I would visit this museum for sure 🙂 Great post!
You’ll have to use the museum as an excuse to go back. We had really good weather too, but I go there rain or shine every time I visit Dublin. I have a lot of family in Dublin, but I never get tired of the writer’s museum. Emma.
*** Swift, Shaw, Bramstoker, Wilde, Joyce***
WOW.
I’d LOVE to tour this Writer’s Museum. FABULOUS.
What a great adventure.
So glad you enjoyed the post. The museum is a real treasure. Emma.
Your post was perfect timing for me as I’m planning a first visit to Ireland (actually Dublin only, in order to see Ciarán Hinds in Mark O’Rowe’s new play at the theatre festival). I didn’t know about the Dublin Writers’ Museum. It just made my must-see list, along with the Cúchulainn statue in the General Post Office. My family tree only includes one Irishman so far as I can tell, but there is a strong contingent of Welshmen and Welshwomen. Maybe that’s why my dermatologist says I have “Celtic skin” 🙂 Thanks for the lovely post.
I have celtic skin too. You will love Dublin. It is busy but lots of fun. I am going to write a post this week on Dublin’s Cafe en seine, which is a fantastic place to visit for a cocktail, breakfast, lunch or dinner. It isn’t expensive either. Watch this space. It’s incredibly glamorous, like something from Casablanca. There is also the James Joyce museum to visit in Dublin and if you like history Kilmainham jail just outside the city centre is not to be missed. Incredibly moving, but one of the best tours I have ever been on. Emma.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll look forward to your post about the Café.
That looks like a fantastic place to visit.
I have business that once or twice a year takes me to Columbus, Ohio, and it’s been pointed out to me that James Thurber’s home is there, but it’s never been at a time that I could arrange a side trip to see it, so far.
It is indeed fantastic. James Thurber’s house sounds like a great trip too. Enjoy!
Very cool! When I visit Ireland (and one day I will) this will be a definite stop on the trip.
You would love it, I am sure. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a great week. Emma.
Delightful post and very useful if I ever get to Dublin. Will share with son and daughter-in-law who are visiting in September. Thanks for commenting on my self-made Amtrak Residency. Love books, travel, and food. Let’s stay in touch.
Hi Shirley,
I would love to stay in touch, but am not sure how to follow your blog. Do I just sign up for the exercises in the right hand bar? Sorry if this is a stupid question and I am missing the obvious. Take care. Emma.
Irish people are very creative and artistic. Our Irish literary heritage is quite unique.