Dublin Literary Pub Crawl: Writers & Pints Walking Tour

Hear Irish writers come alive through actors' voices in the pubs where they drank

A guided walking tour of Dublin's literary pubs where actors perform verses from Joyce, Wilde, Yeats, Beckett and other Irish writers. The tour starts at the Duke Pub on Duke Street and visits four famous Dublin haunts over roughly two hours, with a literary quiz and prizes included. Minimum age is 16. The guide speaks English and leads groups of up to four people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dublin literary pub crawl experience

• Start at the Duke Pub on Duke Street
• Visit famous literary pubs and haunts
• Listen to actors recite Irish literature
• Learn about lives of great Irish writers
• Enjoy pints while hearing literary stories

The experience

What draws people to Dublin's pubs isn't just the Guinness. It's the writers who made them legendary. This tour starts at the Duke Pub on Duke Street and moves through four of those storied bars, each one a place where James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, Brendan Behan, Sean O'Casey and modern poets like Seamus Heaney actually sat. The guide is a local actor who recites passages from their work as you stand in the rooms where those words were written or first spoken aloud.

The crawl balances education and entertainment. You're learning the lives and scandals behind the names, hearing the folklore that stuck in Dublin's literary circles, and sinking a pint between stops. A literary quiz runs through the tour, and winners take home prizes. The whole thing takes about two and a half hours, moving at a walking pace through the city center. By the end you'll know why these particular pubs matter to Irish literature and why Dubliners still gather in them.

What’s included

• Guided walking tour led by a local actor in English.
• entry to four Dublin pubs.
• literary performances and verse recitations from Irish writers.
• a literary quiz with prizes for winners.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 19:15Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand why Dublin's pubs matter to Irish literature and don't mind walking between stops while you drink: the actor guide and the verses recited in each bar are what turn a pub night into a literary education.

Traveler reviews

4.76★★★★★★★★★★

1,779 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,516

4 ★171

3 ★40

2 ★28

1 ★24

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Who are the writers featured on this Dublin literary pub crawl?

The tour covers James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, Brendan Behan, Sean O'Casey, Seamus Heaney, Eavan Boland, Paula Meehan and Brendan Kennelly. Actors recite verses from their work at each pub stop.

How many pubs do you visit on this walking tour?

The tour visits four Dublin pubs, starting at the Duke Pub on Duke Street and moving through other famous literary haunts in the city center.

What's included in the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl?

The tour includes a guided walking experience with local actors performing Irish literature, entry to four pubs, and a literary quiz with prizes for winners. Drinks and food are not included and you purchase those at each stop.

How long does the literary pub crawl take?

The tour runs for approximately two and a half hours, moving at a walking pace through Dublin's literary landmarks and pubs.

Is there a minimum age for this pub crawl tour?

Yes, the minimum age is 16 years old. Groups can be up to four people per booking.