Tour operator
Pat Liddy’s Walking Tours
Guided walking tours of Dublin founded by historian and author Pat Liddy, with public tours in several languages and private themed walks.
Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
An award-winning pub crawl founded in 1988, in which professional actors perform Joyce, Beckett, Wilde and Behan, starting at The Duke on Duke Street.
At a glance
- Type
- Literary pub crawl
- Area
- Duke Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Official site
- dublinpubcrawl.com
Good to know
- Professional actors
- Nightly April to November
- Sunday noon tour
- Private tours
Why we recommend it
The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl combines two things the city is known for, its writers and its pubs, in a single evening. Founded in 1988, it is a long-running, award-winning show in which professional actors lead the group from pub to pub, performing and discussing the work of Dublin's great writers along the way. The Sunday Times summed it up as a crawl of about two and a half hours with Wilde, Joyce, Behan and Beckett.
The tour starts at The Duke pub on Duke Street, just off Grafton Street. From there the actors guide you through the streets of the south city centre, stopping at pubs connected with the city's literary history and performing short scenes, readings and anecdotes. The format mixes street theatre with the atmosphere of a traditional pub, so you get both the stories behind the writers and a chance to enjoy a drink between performances.
The crawl runs nightly from April to November, and from Thursday to Sunday between December and March. An extra tour starts at noon on Sundays throughout the year, which is a good option if you prefer daytime or are travelling with someone who would rather not be out late. Private tours can be arranged all year for groups, companies and celebrations. Check the website for the current evening start time and ticket prices, and book online in advance, especially in summer and on weekends.
The tour suits book lovers, theatre fans, couples and groups of friends, and you do not need to have read Ulysses to enjoy it: the actors explain everything along the way. Budget for drinks in each pub, and soft drinks are always an option. Wear comfortable shoes, as there is a fair amount of walking between stops, and bring a light waterproof.
Duke Street is a few minutes' walk from Trinity College, St Stephen's Green and the Grafton Street Luas stops, so the crawl is easy to reach from most central hotels. For enquiries, call the company on +353 1 670 5602. If you enjoy the evening, the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square and the Abbey Theatre on Lower Abbey Street are natural next steps.
Dublin Literary Pub Crawl FAQs
Where does the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl start?
At The Duke pub on Duke Street, off Grafton Street.
When does it run?
Nightly from April to November, Thursday to Sunday from December to March, plus a noon tour on Sundays all year.
How long does it last?
About two and a half hours.
Which writers are covered?
Actors perform works by writers such as Joyce, Beckett, Oscar Wilde and Brendan Behan.
When was it founded?
The pub crawl was founded in 1988.
Can I book a private tour?
Yes, private tours are available all year.
Is it suitable if I do not drink alcohol?
Yes, soft drinks are available in every pub.
How do I contact the organisers?
Call +353 1 670 5602 or book through the website.