MoLI - Museum of Literature Ireland

A Dublin Literary Treasure

The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) is a landmark attraction for locals and visitors in the heart of Dublin. Located on St. Stephen’s Green, MoLI is set inside UCD Newman House, the original home of UCD. This is where noted Irish writers like James Joyce, Maeve Binchy, and Kate O’Brien studied. The building is home to media exhibitions, artefacts, tours, workshops and of course the stunning café and beautiful adjoining gardens.

MoLI - What can I expect?

Named after the character Molly Bloom in Joyce’s Ulysses, the museum hosts a range of literary treasures from Ireland’s rich writing tradition. This includes the first copy of the first edition of Ulysses, published in its entirety in 1922.

Using cutting-edge multimedia exhibitions, it tells the story of Ireland's world-famous literary heritage, from the earliest medieval storytelling traditions to contemporary writers entering the international literary scene in recent years.

Exhibitions at MoLI

MoLI will also run exhibitions which visitors will be able to discover. Past and current exhibitions include ‘A Riverrrun of Language’, an audio visual installation which includes selections from the National Folklore Collection at UCD and excerpts ranging from Old Irish to contemporary writing in English and Irish by Paula Meehan and Doireann Ní Ghríofa. An exhibition on 'the State and Irish Writing' looks at the role of literature and culture in the formation of the new state and includes loans from UCD Special Collections including a first printing of Yeats’s ‘Easter, 1916’ donated to UCD by Dr Joseph Hassett. There is also the ‘Dear Dirty Dublin’ which maps Joyce’s city through sculpture and film.

Other exhibitions focus on individual writers, starting with unsung literary trailblazer Kate O’Brien, curated by her grand-niece, actress Kathy Rose O’Brien.

Stay Connected

A digital radio station (Radio MoLI) for Irish literature is broadcast from the venue, turning it into a unique focal point for Irish literature.

Commons Cafe and Gardens

The Commons Cafe, which is set in the original student dining halls of UCD Newman House, offers a unique space for sharing food and ideas amongst friends. Led by Domini and Peaches Kemp, the Commons showcases Ireland’s beautiful produce and culinary heritage.

The gardens at MoLI feature a newly landscaped Courtyard and Readers Gardens. The gardens contain two protected trees, most notably the ash tree that James Joyce had his graduation photograph taken against, and a beautiful Killarney Strawberry tree. We hope that the gardens will continue to be a place of reading, learning, and gentle enjoyment of nature. The gardens also look out onto another of Dublin's much loved, but lesser known parks - The Iveagh Gardens.

Where is the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) located?

MoLI is located in the orignal UCD at St. Stephen's Green. 86 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, D02 XY43. Other attractions closeby include the Little Museum of Dublin, The Irish Whiskey Museum, and Chester Beatty Library.

Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

DoDublin's Sightseeing Tours stop at St. Stephen's Green, just on the opposite side of the beautiful park from the museum. The red City Sightseeing Bus Tour also stops nearby, as does Big Bus Tours Dublin. It is a great chance to hop off and visit some of the attractions close by to Museum, such as the beautiful National Museum, a free attraction providing a great family day out.

Dublin Bus

Many Dublin Bus routes pass close to the museum. Plan your journey with Dublin Bus.

Walk

The museum is easily accessed by foot, and its location at St. Stephen's Green, and beside the beautiful Iveagh Gardens mean you will have stunning places to walk around too. From Trinity College, MoLI is about a 20 minute walk.

By Bicycle

There is Dublin Bike station at Newman House - beside the museum!

By Train

Pearse St station is the closest DART station to the museum - this is 1.3km away, just over a 15 minute walk. Plan your journey with Irish Rail.

 

Luas

The Luas stop closest to the museum is at St. Stephen's Green - just two minutes away.