The James Joyce Centre Dublin

04/09/2026

The James Joyce Centre is delighted to welcome back the Volta Theatre Company's production of two short stories from Joyce’s Dubliners on Wednesday, 16 September 2026 at 8pm.

Joyce's collection of short stories provides vivid ‘slices of life’ of early 20th century Dublin. Against the backdrop of a society in paralysis, a pair of Dublin lives are revealed in stark, sometimes brutal, scenes. In "Counterparts", an ungainly, bad-tempered law clerk is determined to have a heavy night’s drinking, while in "A Little Cloud", a sensitive soul is embittered by a meeting with an old university friend back from London. At once funny and tragic, relatable and disturbing, the stories are populated with an array of colourful characters who remain entirely contemporary, despite the bowler hats and Edwardian collars.

Performed by two actors, Jim Roche and Liam Hourican, in the iconic setting of the Joyce Centre’s Georgian drawing room, and featuring period music with incredible musicians Feilimidh Nunan and Conor Sheil, this is an exquisite, intimate study of Joyce’s Dublin and its lives of quiet desperation.

Tickets are €20. Doors open at 7.30pm.

The James Joyce Centre is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

A special theatre performance of two short stories from Joyce's Dubliners by the Volta Theatre Company.

02/09/2026

In honour of the 300th anniversary of Gulliver’s Travels, the James Joyce Centre is proud to present a six-week online/in-person course on Jonathan Swift starting on 23 September.

Gulliver’s Travels holds the distinction of being one of the best works of satire ever written and the most read work of Irish literature. The novel has entertained, shocked and fascinated readers for centuries with its uproarious antics and insight into human nature. Along with A Modest Proposal, Gulliver’s Travels was published at the height of Swift’s fame as a wit and man of letters in the early 18th century.

This course will examine the man behind Gulliver and the great body of work he produced before and after his magna opera. From The Battle of the Books to his own epitaph, Swift’s work demonstrates a nearly limitless contempt for human folly — if not, as some would argue, for humans themselves. And yet, Swift showed deep care for the powerless and dispossessed, fighting for social justice and the Irish people during a time of brutal British imposition. His genius has lasted over the years, with his words, phrases and idioms having entered the English lexicon: yahoo, lilliputian, Vanessa, a modest proposal, a confederacy of dunces, etc.

The course will include his famous and lesser-known works: essays, pamphlets, letters, poems, sermons, vignettes. We will discuss his career as a writer, his high-level engagements in Stuart and Georgian politics and the fact he was able to do all of this as a clergyman, including as Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for 32 years. The course will examine Swift’s legacy and influence of writers and works as disparate as Voltaire and George Orwell to The Boys and South Park.

In an age of post truth, fake news and headlines that seem more satirical than real, Swift’s legacy is as relevant as ever. Led by Dr. Josh Q. Newman, the course will consist of readings, group discussions, presentations, supplementary materials and guest lectures.

Course Details:

💻 Location: Zoom & The James Joyce Centre (35 North Great George’s Street)
📅 Dates: 23 September – 28 October 2026
🕕 Time: Every Wednesday, 6-8pm Irish Standard Time
🎟️ Registration: €100

Each session will be livestreamed on Zoom, recorded and made available for view on Moodle. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Spaces are limited so to be sure to register soon. We look forward to seeing you in class!

The James Joyce Centre is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

⬇️REGISTRATION LINK⬇️

https://jamesjoyce.ie/events/jonathan-swift/

28/08/2026

What can I say QueenBees ... Talk about a homecoming to one's roots. Absolute perfection delivered for our The Write Stuff with Dublin by Dusk at The James Joyce Centre Dublin ... And then backing Brush Shiels - Skid Row ... I mean does it get any better. One of the most beautiful gatherings to date ❤️

For those who missed out and/or those who want more The Write Stuff ... We're back in Chapters Bookstore Parnell Street next Fri. 4th Sept. with renowned music journalists Pat Thomas Stuart Bailie and Horslips founding member Eamon Carr ... Tickets booking fast at https://www.thewritestuff.ie/

22/08/2026

22/08/2026

13/08/2026

A few photos from last night's talk with Martin Mühlheim, Managing Director of James Joyce Stiftung Zürich. Our special thanks to Martin and to all those in attendance.

12/08/2026

Continuing The Write Stuff collaboration with Dublin by Dusk and The James Joyce Centre Dublin …
…
Hope you’re ready for this one?
It will be like Electric Picnic, but without the camping… As we will be joined for a very special night with the one & only Brush Shiels - Skid Row ... I mean ya couldn’t get more rock n roll if James Joyce himself joined us.
…
Rock legend Brush Shiels, the man who taught Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott how to play guitar, is still very much young at heart, “As musicians, we grow old but we never grow up. Getting to 80 is a particular frame of mind. At one stage, I was friends of the elderly and now I’m elderly with friends.” So quipped Brush, as he was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award by Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience in Love Temple Bar

A former player and lifelong fan of Bohemian Football Club Brush grew up in Phibsboro, D7. The Octogenarian who was the frontman of guitarist Gary Moore’s first rock band Skid Row, still enjoys the craic & playing, ”I can still play with anyone and play as well as anyone. Every time music changes, there’s less music in it. I think the days of the great musicians are nearly gone. Our style is long gone.’

In partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Fáilte Ireland Dublin City Council Dublin Visit Dublin and Dublin Town, The Write Stuff are gatherings in collaborative storytelling, poetry & music. Curated & hosted by Dublin writer Steve O’Toole. At each gathering, storytellers, and poets, are joined by showcase musicians, thus, delivering a continuous, collaborative flow of original work.

Further performing artists announced tomorrow Thur. 13th 👍

Please note: This is a very limited ticketed event, and expected to book out very quickly.

⬇️ TICKETS IN LINK BELOW ⬇️
🌐 https://www.thewritestuff.ie/
📍 35 N. Great George’s St. Dublin 1
🗓️ Thur. 27th August

© The Write Stuff

08/08/2026

06/08/2026

Hugely grateful to all those who performed, attended, facilitated & supported our most recent The Write Stuff gathering for Dublin by Dusk in collaboration with The James Joyce Centre Dublin

Thank you to Luke Clerkin Sean Corrigan and Danila for sharing your creativity 🙏

Thank you to Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Fáilte Ireland Dublin Dublin City Council Dublin Town and Best of Ireland for your support & promotion 🙏

Thank you to all the team at The James Joyce Centre Dublin for your support, encouragement & hospitality 🙏

Thank you Karl at Wilde Vintage for our beautiful stage setting … and this 📸🙏

Ongoing thanks, to the best of the best… whom help me keep The Write Stuff on the road, with their never ending support… always appreciated, always be grateful Tony St Ledger Louise, Joy, Cris and The Vagabond Queen 🙏🙏

📣 NEXT GATHERING THUR. 27th AUG.
📍 The James Joyce Centre Dublin
ℹ️ FUTURE UPDATES HERE ON FB & BELOW ⬇️
🌐 https://www.thewritestuff.ie/

© The Write Stuff

06/08/2026

The James Joyce Centre will be closed on Friday, 7 August until 1.30pm. The walking tour at 11am will proceed as scheduled.

Many thanks for understanding.