This year, the annual Dublin Festival of History is bigger than ever and promises to be an unmissable exploration of the past.
History fans are in for a treat with this year’s staggering lineup of over 200 FREE events as part of the highly anticipated Dublin Festival of History 2023. The festival, which runs from 25 September to 15 October across Dublin city and county, presents a broad range of activities covering an array of historical subjects that cater to all interests.
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Dublin Festival of History, 2023
Marking its 11th year, this annual festival is proudly presented by Dublin City Council and organized by Dublin City Libraries in collaboration with Dublin City Council Culture Company.
From talks and tours to exhibitions, films and family-friendly events, the festival provides various ways to engage with history. You can choose from a variety of daytime and evening events, and selected talks will be streamed online to make them accessible to audiences near and far. Festival attendees can also look forward to presentations as Gaeilge and with Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.
A particularly noteworthy segment of the history festival, the “Big Weekend”, will take place at the Printworks in Dublin Castle from Friday, 29 September through Sunday, 1 October.
You can explore the jampacked programme on the Dublin Festival of History website, while printed programmes are available at local libraries, Richmond Barracks and 14 Henrietta Street.
Events in focus
Deciding which events to attend is a challenging task in the face of such an enormous lineup. We’ve handpicked just six events that instantly captured our attention:
1. 1798 in Rathfarnham (talk)
This talk in Rathfarnham Castle on Sunday, 1 October, will provide insight into the historical context of the events of the 1798 Rebellion in Rathfarnham and the role played by the owners of Rathfarnham Castle.
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2. At home with the Vikings (drop-in workshop)
Drop into this family-friendly workshop on Saturday, 7 October, at the National Museum of Ireland. Here, you’ll learn all about Viking Dublin – its layout, houses, lanes, streets, ports and defences. This is rooted in the most up-to-date archaeological findings, derived from 40 years of excavation work, much of which was conducted by the museum. You’ll even get the opportunity to make your own miniature Viking house!
3. Weaving in the Liberties (talk)
Historian Cathy Scuffil will explore the evidence for the importance of the textile industry in the Liberties of Dublin, historically home to an industrial working-class community. The talk is scheduled for three dates, each hosted at a different venue.
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4. Buttresses, bridges and bones: conserving Christ Church (talk)
To mark the release of a new conservation management plan, Christ Church Cathedral will host a series of talks examining various facets of this iconic Dublin landmark, including conservation efforts, excavations, internal features and the cathedral’s music and portrait collections.
>>> READ MORE: Recent archaeological discoveries along the M28 route in Cork
5. Children and the War of Independence (talk)
Historically, the narrative of the War of Independence has been portrayed through the eyes of adults. On Monday, 2 October, at Blanchardstown Library, historian and author Liz Gillis will shift the focus, shedding light on how children played an important, though often-overlooked, role in the events as witnesses, participants and victims.
6. Dublin Cattle Market in the 20th century (talk)
On Thursday, 12 October, at the Central Library, Ilac Centre, Dr Mary Muldowney will delve into the rich oral heritage relating to Dublin Cattle Market from its establishment in 1863 to its closure in 1973.
Also on offer are tours of the National Museum, 14 Henrietta Street, Dublinia, the Irish Architectural Archive, Edward Worth Library, the Freemason’s Hall on Molesworth Street, Glasnevin Cemetery, Grangegorman Military Cemetery and even Dublin’s docklands.
There are also exhibitions, including a photographic exhibition showcasing recent excavations at St Canice’s ecclesiastical site and a cartographic exhibition exploring Dublin’s maritime legacy.
For children, there are lots of family-friendly events, including treasure hunts and workshops.
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Booking is essential
While admission to all festival events is free, check individual event details for booking information (some events do not require prior booking). We recommend booking your tickets early to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.
Recordings of some talks will be available for viewing or listening after the festival. You can delve into the Dublin Festival of History archives with their collection of podcasts from the current programme and previous programmes here.
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