Grafton Street

The most popular shopping street in Dublin!

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Dublin
St Stephen's Green
Maintained in its original Victorian design, St Stephen's Green is a park beloved by locals.
Molly Malone Statue
Iconic black bronze statue of Molly and her cart of fish.
George's Street Arcade
Victorian style red-bricked indoor market located at Dublin's city centre.
The Book of Kells
Ireland's most treasured medieval manuscript, dating back to the 9th century.
Trinity College Library
Wander through the endless rows of historical novels.
Irish Houses of Parliament
Today a branch of the Bank of Ireland, the old Irish Parliament buildings were a radical Neoclassical creation.

Related Tours

Dublin's Literary History: Private Off The Beaten Path Walking Tour

Explore the library history of Dublin, a city that has produced many famous writers and poets over the centuries – see where they took their inspiration on this private, off-the-beaten-path walking tour.

On your private walking tour, you will:

  • Start in Merrion Square, where a statue in honour of the legendary Oscar Wilde can be found, born in Dublin in the 19th century;
  • Learn about the lives of other famous Irish writers who have called Dublin home - including William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett;
  • Visit several historic bookshops throughout the city, where you will be able to shop for books by Irish greats, such as Ulysses and Sweny’s Pharmacy;
  • Admire the abstract statue of William Butler Yeats by Henry Moore in St Stephen's Green, a prominent literary figure of the 20th century; 
  • Pop into several pubs throughout Dublin, where noted literary greats used to hang out for a pint, like Toners – favoured by WB Yeats, and the Dave Byrnes Pub, where Joyce spent time and which appears in his major work Ulysses;
  • Stop in at the legendary Bewley's on Grafton Street, a very old grand café with mahogany furniture and stained glass windows, where James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh, Samuel Beckett and Sean O’Casey all visited;
  • End your tour across the river at the famous Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookstore.


Ireland, the Emerald Isle, is famed for its lush green rolling landscapes and its capital city, Dublin, for its stunning architecture and turbulent political history, so it is no surprise that the country has produced so many famous literary figures! 

On your private walking tour of beautiful Dublin, with its stunning architecture, wonderful traditional pubs and cafes and antiquated bookshops, you’ll see where figures such as Wilde and Joyce, Yeats and Stoker lived, studied, socialized, and wrote. 

You will begin your private tour in Merrion Square, where many houses have plaques detailing the names of the rich and famous who once lived in the area, including Dublin’s most famous son, the writer and dramatist Oscar Wilde. 

There is a statue of him in the middle of the square. Wandering on, you’ll spy a statue of Yeats in St Stephen’s Square, and pass by St Patrick’s Cathedral, where you will hear about the illustrious writer and satirist Jonathan Swift, who had a lifelong connection to the cathedral's Dean and is buried there. 

Next, step back into the 18th century and learn the history of Marsh’s Library. Unchanged for three centuries, this perfectly preserved library of the early Enlightenment—with its original oak bookcases— houses more than 25,000 rare and obscure books.

On your literary tour of Dublin, you will visit Sweny’s Pharmacy and the literary pub Davy Byrne’s, both famous for their appearance in James Joyce's Ulysses, and are bursting with interesting tidbits about the famous novelist and poet.

UNESCO recognises Dublin as a City of Literature, reflecting the city’s rich and varied history of writers and writing. During your tour, you will meander through the streets, libraries, and bookstores which are woven into the stories and lives of Ireland's most celebrated Irish thinkers. 

From Nobel Literature Prize winners WB Yeats, GB Shaw and Samuel Beckett to its beloved James Joyce, Dublin is brimming with stories of its favourite authors waiting to be heard. 

The True Dublin Experience: Private Irish Pub Culture Tour

Immerse yourself in the authentic Irish pub culture and discover traditional and friendly places where locals enjoy Irish music, sports, and homemade food while enjoying a pint of Guinness.

On this Irish Pub Culture Walking Tour, you will: 

  • Visit 3 traditional Irish pubs in Dublin with your private guide;
  • Sample local beers, craft beers, and ciders;
  • Discover the literary and political connections of some of the most famous pubs in Dublin;
  • Hear live traditional Irish music for an authentic Irish Pub Culture experience;
  • Learn about Ireland’s most famous beer, Guinness, and the family legacy which carries on today.

Get better acquainted with the culture, history and stories of the Irish capital whilst having a drink in some of the best pubs in Dublin! 

Dublin is where pubs were born, each with its unique atmosphere and long and varied history. Their authenticity has given Irish pubs a reputation for being fun, friendly and welcoming all over the world, but they quintessentially belong to Dublin. There is no other such suitable place to sip on a pint of Guinness. This tour is a mixture of novelty, history, literature, music and humour!

Venture to Dublin's true hidden gems --including the pubs which contributed most to the city's unique character. Not only will you learn how to savour a pint of beer, but also follow in the footsteps of Irish literary giants, seeing the haunts frequented by the likes of James Joyce. 

You will also learn how to properly enjoy a Guinness while learning about the rich cultural heritage which led to its creation. And remember, most importantly: you should only drink your Guinness when you can see a clear division between the white foam and the dark beer. If the beer in your glass still looks murky and brown, your Guinness isn't ready yet! 

Please note: Due to varying age restrictions in pubs, this tour is suitable for those 18 and over. No children are allowed on this tour. If you wish to go on a pub tour where you may also bring children, please be in touch with our team.

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