International Literature Festival Dublin celebrates 25 Years of Stories at its new Literary Village in Merrion Square Park

Explore the programme in-person from 19 – 29 May 2022

Booking now open at ilfdublin.com

International Literature Festival Dublin today announced the full lineup of events for the 25th Anniversary edition which will run from 19-29 May. After two years of online events, ILFDublin is delighted to once again welcome authors from around the world to gather in-person in Dublin city for this 11 day celebration of writing and literature. Details were also announced today of the new festival home, a Literary Village which will, for the 11 days, be set up in Merrion Square Park, a beautiful space in the heart of the city and surrounded by a rich and unique literary history.

Whether dropping in on lunch break or spending a full weekend exploring the Literary Village, there’s plenty to see and do; pick up copies of this year’s books at the Dubray Festival Bookshop, grab a tasty bite at one of the food stalls, curated by District Magazine, or just soak up the festive atmosphere. ILFDublin 2022 will present a record breaking programme of over 150 events featuring a diverse mix of 175 authors, speakers, creatives, and performers and counting from over 30 countries with discussions, talks, debates and more for all ages and interests.

Speaking today Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland said:

“I am delighted to see the International Literature Festival Dublin, a Dublin City Council initiative, enter an exciting new chapter as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in its new home in Merrion Square Park. This new location is steeped with literary history and we look forward to the return of in person events bringing colour and life to one of Dublin City’s most beloved city parks. It’s inspiring to see a programme of over 150 in-person events with so many great world renowned authors from Ireland and abroad celebrating the power of words in the heart of Dublin, a UNESCO designated City of Literature and a UNESCO Learning City.”

There is lots to experience and discover in this year’s programme which is divided into four exciting programming strands: WriteNow, StoryMachine, Boundless and Advance.

WriteNow – Stories without Borders

ILFDublin 2022 features more international authors than ever before, with writers from as far afield as Nigeria, Angola, Japan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Colombia meeting their counterparts from Ireland in a global gathering in Merrion Square Park.

Highlights include:

– Bernardine Evaristo, the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize, discusses her inspirational memoir, Manifesto, a blueprint for writers everywhere (Thu 19 May)

– 25 Million-selling superstar author Cecelia Ahern joins Louise O’Neill as they present their new books at a very special launch event (Thu 19 May)

– In the perfect metaphor for the power of books, legendary scientist Richard Dawkins lets the mind soar to unknown, magical spaces in his new book Flights of Fancy (Sat 21 May)

– Rwandan-French author Scholastique Mukasonga recovers her lost family’s story from the genocide – part of a new partnership with Trinity College Dublin’s Centre for Resistance Studies (Sat 21 May)

– Emilie Pine talks to Patrick Freyne about her highly-anticipated debut novel Ruth & Pen (Sun 22 May)

– For the first time event, ILFDublin presents the newly crowned Nobel Prize winner and Booker Prize winner at the same festival with Tanzanian author Abdulrazak Gurnah and South African novelist Damon Galgut, (Fri 20 May and Tue 24 May respectively)

– Jennifer Egan explores her latest novel The Candy House, her sibling-novel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Visit From The Goon Squad (Wed 25 May)

– Ardal O’Hanlon delves into the dark side of small-town Ireland in his novel Brouhaha (Fri 27 May)

– On the closing night of the festival (Sun 29 May) we celebrate the lives and works of Eavan Boland and Thomas Kinsella – two great Dublin poets who were lost to the world of poetry during the lockdown period

Cross cultural conversations are a key element of this year’s programme with authors from different countries dialoguing in events across the festival. Writer Colm Tóibín and poet Padraig Regan will read from their own and each other’s poetry, while reflecting on the creative process; Columbian Margarita García Robayo and Boston native Sandra Newman will discuss their two novels, in which two women struggle to find their place in the world; Eloghosa Osunde & Ondjaki who both write from the margins people their cities with outcasts who deserve to be heard while Mieko Kawakami & Rónán Hession, two authors from different corners of the globe share a literary eye for vulnerable, gentle characters in a hostile world.

There will also be a chance to get to know the 6 authors shortlisted for the 2022 DUBLIN Literary Award through a special podcast with Jessica Traynor and Seán Hewitt who will take listeners inside the novels and speak to the authors and translator. The winner will be announced as part of the opening day programme.

StoryMachine – Nurturing Young Minds

The 11-day programme is packed full of events for children and families to enjoy together. Delight in stories of hope, adventure, identity and resilience encouraging young people to be bold and brave as they navigate their worlds. StoryMachine brings inspiration and discovery to Merrion Square across histories, languages and solar systems!

Highlights include:

– Let your true colours shine bright with lovable literary icon Elmer the Elephant

– Dress up as your favourite character to mark the silver anniversary of J.K. Rowling’s classic Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

– Ring in the end of an era with the final instalment of Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant fantastical adventures

– Watch stories come to life with Kristina Stephenson as she performs her picture book The Museum of Marvellous Things with music and puppets

– Put on your spacesuit and get galactic with 1001 space questions in a fun interactive quiz style event

– Learn about the fascinating history behind the Irish national anthem and how to sing it in English and Irish in The Soldier’s Song/Amhrán na bhFiann with Rachel J Cooper

– Join award-winning writer and activist Onjali Q. Raúf for an introduction to some of the most inspiring people in real life and fiction

– Scream for ice cream with Shane Hegarty for the deviously delicious launch of his new book The Shop of Impossible Ice Creams

– Dive into poetry with Joseph Coelho whose latest collection is designed to be read aloud to build confidence and conjure happiness

– Be inspired by French artist Barroux to do your bit to save the planet

– Learn how to navigate 24/7 news and tell fact from fiction with BBC journalist Nick Sheridan

Look out for conversations about comic books, dark magic, world-building and LGBTQ+ good mental health plus stories about Vikings, superheroes, stinky cheese and many magical worlds. We’ll celebrate languages and learning, but most of all we’ll celebrate our young audiences with space for inspiration, imagination, conversation and community.

Boundless – Exploring New Perspectives

Celebrates wellbeing, wandering, sightseeing and lots more with Boundless, a strand of fringe programming offering unusual and quirky opportunities to redefine what a literature festival can be. Connect with stories in endless ways, such as:

– Celebrate National Drawing day with Paint & Draw and/or Wine & Design, artist-led sessions to guide you through creating your own masterpiece (Sat 21 May).

– Get your heart pumping with a 5K writers run, featuring guest writers / runners Shane Hegarty (Sat 21 May) and Jane Mitchell (Sun 29 May)

– Discover some of Ireland’s most exciting new poets writing in both English and Irish in Introductions | Céadlinte, presented in partnership with Poetry Ireland (24 – 26 May)

– Discover a whole new view of your city and see what you can find on a guided foraging walk (Sun 29 May)

– Walk in the footsteps of legends with a tour of Oscar Wilde’s house or join the Alternative Dublin Writer’s Tour (Sat 21, Sun 22, Sat 28 & Sun 29 May)

– Holy Show’s Party Piece highlights the traditions of the party piece with performances by writer and actor Michael Harding, musician and novelist Declan O’Rourke, funnyman and folklord Hugh Cooney and other special guests

– Nurture your mind and body as Lani O’Hanlon guides you through a two-hour session facilitating an embodied, sensual, and meditative approach to voice and writing, perfect for individuals and aspiring writers to break through habitual ways of writing and being

– District Magazine’s Noontide lunchtime sessions feature an eclectic mix of chats, music, and more, including an acoustic performance from Tomike, Sour Grapes Panel Discussion, Chef Selection and more to be announced

Advance – Growing Your Practice

The ever-popular professional development and workshop strand gives emerging and aspiring writers and creatives the chance to grow their practice and take part in a number of hands-on workshops including:

– Celebrated artists and illustrators Ashwin Chako, Olivia Hope, and Shona Shirley McDonald explore the creative possibilities of drawing and illustration in A Wonderful World of Illustration Seminar (Sat 21 May)

– Get an immersive and practical introduction to Zinemaking in a workshop with Brass Neck Press (Sat 21 & Sun 22

– Learn how How To Read & Write The News with current BBC Scotland presenter Nick Sheridan (Sun 22 May)

– Poets and cultural commentators Áine Ní Ghlinn, David Colmer, and Hans & Monique Hagen discuss the capacity for poetry to transcend borders, linguistic and geographical in a fascinating poetry in translation panel discussion (Thu 26 May)

How To book

Book online or email boxoffice@ilfdublin.com

Where To find Us

The festival site is located in Merrion Square Park, with the main access gate located on Merrion Square East.

Stay Tuned for Updates & Further Programme Additions

ILFDublin is a programme of the City Arts Office, part of the Culture, Recreation & Economic Services Department of Dublin City Council (Chief Executive Owen P. Keegan, Assistant Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare). The work of the Arts Office is made possible by the support of the Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland and the members of Dublin City Council.

International Literature Festival Dublin is Dublin City Council initiative, kindly funded by The Arts Council.

Press information: Sinead O’Doherty. O’Doherty Communications t: +353 86 259 1070 sinead@odohertycommunications.com