The Dublin Book Festival showcases Ireland's greatest contemporary writers, thinkers and talkers, featuring music, politics, comedy and, of course, literature in all its forms! Always a festive and enjoyable affair. Admission to all events is free.

When: March

Where: Dublin City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2

More: www.dublinbookfestival.com

Every year in April, Dublin selects a book to celebrate for the entire month, with a packed programme of events, readings, lectures, theatre and walking tours. Past books have included The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Dracula by Bram Stoker and Joseph O’Connor’s Ghost Light. The selected book for 2012 is James Joyce's Dubliners. The event is an initiative of Dublin City Libraries.

When: The entire month of April annually.

Where: Various venues around the city centre.

More: www.dublinonecityonebook.ie

One of the foremost gatherings in the Joycean calendar. Each year scholars and lovers of Joyce gather from all corners of the globe to celebrate and analyse the work of this great writer. A unique aspect of the school is the fact that it gives Joycean enthusiasts the opportunity to savour and re-experience his writing in the context of the city which inspired and shaped it.

When: July

Where: Newman House and Boston College, both located on St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

More: www.joycesummerschool.ie

Dublin Writers Festival provides a unique opportunity for audiences to experience high quality live literature through readings, discussions and talks, taking place in multiple venues across the city. The 2011 line up included Michael Palin, John Banville, David Sedaris and Roddy Doyle.

When: May

Where: Various venues around Dublin City

More: www.dublinwritersfestival.com

The James Joyce Centre organises events throughout the year to celebrate, discuss and promote the works of Ireland's greatest Modern writer and is the home of Bloomsday in Dublin, celebrated on the 16th June annually. Bloomsday always sees Joyce enthusiasts dress up in Edwardian outfits and congregate at the various sites mentioned in Joyce's writings. One of the most popular events is the great Bloomsday breakfast!

The James Joyce Centre is located just down the street from Belvedere College, where Joyce went to school. Visitors can take one of the many guided Joycean walking tours of Dublin that depart from the Centre every week.

When: Open all year round. Closed on Mondays from October to March

Where: 35 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1.

More: www.jamesjoyce.ie

One of a series of Martello towers built to withstand an invasion by Napoleon, the James Joyce Tower now holds a museum devoted to the life and works of James Joyce, who made the tower the setting for the first chapter of his masterpiece, Ulysses. The museum's collection includes letters, photographs, first and rare editions and personal possessions of Joyce, as well as items associated with the Dublin of Ulysses.

When: April to August. Closed Mondays, other months open by prior arrangement

Where: Sandycove, County Dublin

More: www.visitdublin.com

Part of the Dublin Pass www.dublinpass.ie

Up until February 2009, Swenys traded as a working pharmacy but it is now a place for nostalgia, conversation and celebration of great writing. Visitors can drop by Sweny's for one of the free readings. Stand where Joyce himself stood, hear his words aloud in the setting he described with such clarity. Imagine Leopold Bloom through the shop window, as he makes his way over to collect a compound for his darling Molly. Admission is entirely free but a small donation is very much appreciated.

Reading times:

Ulysses on Saturdays at 11.00am and Thursdays a 7.00pm. Finnegan’s Wake on Mondays at 1.00pm. Dubliners at 1.00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

When: Open Monday - Saturday, 11.00am - 5.00pm.

Where: 1 Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.

More: www.sweny.ie

Home to Ireland’s national documentary and intellectual record of life in Ireland, the National Library of Ireland is open six days a week and free of charge for all those wishing to consult the collection onsite. The library hosts a fascinating literary exhibition all year round as well as an excellent series of topical lectures and talks. The library café happens to be a great place to sit down with a pot of tea and a good book.

When: Open year round. Closed Sundays.

Where: Kildare Street, Dublin 2

More: www.nli.ie

The 'fair city' of Dublin has more than 800 pubs to choose from. Join this diverse team of actors for an award-winning tour and follow in the footsteps of Joyce, Beckett, Wilde, Behan and many more. You'll hear renditions of prose, verse, drama and song from Dublin's literary hall of fame. With four pubs, two actors, one quiz and some prizes, this is a night packed with fun and entertainment. You'll learn a lot too!

When: 19.30 April-November, nightly. December-March: Thursday-Sunday. Extra tour 12 noon on Sundays, all year round. Private tours available all year.

Where: Meeting point, The Duke Pub, Duke Street (off Grafton Street), Dublin 2.

More: www.dublinpubcrawl.com

Situated in a magnificent 18th century mansion in the north city centre, the collection of Dublin Writers Museum features the lives and works of Dublin's literary celebrities over the past three hundred years. Swift and Sheridan, Shaw and Wilde, Yeats, Joyce and Beckett are among those presented through their books, letters, portraits and personal items. The museum holds exhibitions, lunchtime theatre and readings and has a special room devoted to children's literature.

When: Year round, daily

Where: 18 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

More: www.writersmuseum.com

Part of the Dublin Pass www.dublinpass.ie

Celebrate the fiction of the fantastic each November in Wexford!

When: November.

Where: Wexford Town

More: www.wexworlds.net

A nationwide celebration of books and readings for young people across Ireland featuring authors, illustrators & storytellers.

When: October

Where: Nationwide

More: www.childrensbooksireland.ie/childrens-book-festival 

A ten day feast of literature, jazz, indie, classical music, visual art, theatre, dance, traditional Irish music, craft and plenty of good craic! Many events take place inside St Canice’s Cathedral and other historic buildings in the medieval city of Kilkenny.

When: August

Where: Kilkenny City

More: www.kilkennyarts.ie

One of the world’s most important opera festivals, always promises a special experience of rarely programmed and often neglected opera in Wexford’s stunning Opera House. Take advantage of the lively fringe events that bring the festivities right through the town.

When: October/November

Where: Wexford Town, County Wexford

More: www.wexfordopera.com

Showcasing some of the finest and most exciting theatre, dance, music, puppetry and visual art from Ireland and around the world, Baboró promises to excite and entertain, inspire and energise all who attend this unique festival in Galway, specially created for young audiences and their families.

When: October

Where: Galway City.

More: www.baboro.ie

Generations of Irish people have unpacked their buckets and spades on Wexford's numerous sandy beaches several of which have Blue Flag status. Hook Lighthouse, which marks the entrance to Waterford Harbour, dates from the 13th century.

County Wexford has produced numerous writers of note, in whose works the influence of their seaside upbringing can be seen: Booker Prize-winning John Banville (The Sea), Colm Toibín (The Blackwater Lightship) and Peter Murphy (John the Revelator).

When: Year round.

Where: Why, Wexford of course!

More: www.discoverireland.ie/wexford

The Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre in New Ross features a permanent exhibition of the acclaimed and embroidered Ros Tapestries. This dramatic narrative is a tale told in thread, the epic story of Ireland’s romantic Norman past unfolds as an experience to be treasured.

When: From 17th March to 30th October, 7 days a week from 9.30 am to 6pm each day. Last tour 5.30pm.

Where: New Ross, County Wexford.

More: www.rostapestry.com

Lighthouses have a magic and mysticism of their own, none more so than the 13th Century Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford, marking the entrance to Waterford Harbour for at least 2,000 years. Described by the Lonely Planet as "a little plump lighthouse, the grand-daddy of all lighthouses" Hook has been voted number one lighthouse in the world.

One of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world, the present structure dates back 800 years ago to the Medieval tower of Hook. Today, there is a visitor centre, a café serving light meals and a gift shop, as well as the tower itself to discover.

When: November to February from 9.30am - 5.pm. Last tour 4pm. March to October from 9.30am - 6.pm. Last tour at 5pm. Guided tours of the lighthouse are provided.

Where: Fetherd-on-Sea, New Ross, County Wexford.

More: www.hookheritage.ie

Located alongside the New Ross docks in County Wexford, the Dunbrody famine ship is a full scale reconstruction of a 19th Century famine ship, and succeeds in transporting the visitor back to arguably the most tragic period in Irish history, the Great Famine.

You can follow in the footsteps of a group of Famine emigrants as you board the Dunbrody. A ticket is issued as if it were 1849 and this ticket allocates your space and food rations for the voyage ahead. You will explore the ship, fitted out exactly as it would be for a voyage. You will encounter emigrants, in their cramped quarters with their meagre possessions, fleeing as they are a worse catastrophe.They will tell you their harrowing stories of being forced to emigrate. A member of the crew will tell you the story of other voyages and all about life on board a sailing ship.

Total length of tour is approximately 50 minutes.

When: Open 7 days a week. 9am - 6pm (last trour at 5pm).

Where: South Quay, New Ross, County Wexford.

More: www.dunbrody.com

Kilkenny is synonymous with craft and contemporary Irish design owes so much to the Kilkenny Design Workshops that were established in 1963.

There is a delightful concentration of craft around Kilkenny City and County, from the exhibitions at the National Craft Gallery in the Castle Yard to the makers who feature on the fascinating studio trail, Made in Kilkenny.

Why not take an afternoon to follow this scenic route around the county, you might even pick up a nice piece or two to take home.

When: Year round.

Where: Kilkenny City and County.

More: www.discoverireland.ie/craft , www.discoverireland.ie/kilkenny

This series of very special, intimate music events takes place over a few nights in a tiny church on the Dingle Peninsula every winter. Mixing established and emerging artists, past acts have included Jarvis Cocker, The National, Snow Patrol, Amy Winehouse and Florence and the Machine.

When: Every December

Where: St. James' Church, Main Street, Dingle, County Kerry

More: www.othervoices.ie

Taking place in a town synonymous with the writing tradition, Writers Week is a lively and inclusive literary festival. Writers Week aims to guide and enthuse the emerging writer and befriend the established writer and offers a packed calendar of workshops, readings, lectures, literary competitions, seminars and debate. Always a great weekend.

When: June bank holiday weekend annually

Where: Listowel, County Kerry

More: www.writersweek.ie

The word IMRAM can mean a ‘voyage of discovery’ and the festival takes its audiences on a magical journey that reveals the depth and diversity of modern literature in Irish, through eclectic and imaginative event programming that fuses poetry, prose and music in lively venues. IMRAM has also featured film, drama, puppetry, debates, lectures, and writing workshops for both adults and children.

When: October

Where: Numerous venues across Dublin City

More: www.imram.ie

The largest celebration of Ireland’s native language and culture in Ireland and abroad. With events ranging from simple conversational evenings to street céilís; speed dating to wine tasting it gives everyone a chance to experiment with Irish whether fluent from youth or only dipping their toe in for the first time.

When: Every March

Where: Nationwide

More: www.snag.ie

A small boutique film festival located in a beautiful Altantic setting. Dingle is home to many filmmakers and one of Ireland’s only independent cinemas, the peninsula is a known film location and truly inspirational place to be.

The Dingle Film Festival hosts The Gregory Peck Award for Excellence in the Art of Film. Recipients have included Stephen Frears, Jim Sheridan and cultural ambassador to Ireland, Gabriel Byrne.

When: March.

Where: Dingle, County Kerry.

More: www.dinglefilmfestival.com

Leading poets, novelists, playwrights and journalists come to Bantry for an extensive programme of literary events and readings. Don’t miss the late night story sessions!

When: July

Where: Bantry, County Cork

More: www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie

Set against the stunning scenery of Cape Clear Island, the art of storytelling in its most delightful forms is celebrated, often late into the night!

When: September

Where: Cape Clear Island, West Cork

More: www.capeclearstorytelling.com

The longest established annual festival dedicated to the short story form in an English-speaking country, celebrates the genius of Frank O'Connor and the literary form which made him famous. Cork is the home also of Elizabeth Bowen, Seán Ó Faoláin and William Trevor. The Cork City - Frank O'Connor Short Story Award, presented at the end of the festival, is an annual award of €35,000 and is currently the world's richest prize for the short story form.

When: September

Where: Cork City

More: www.munsterlit.ie

Dedicated to the lives and works of writers William Trevor and Elizabeth Bowen, the summer school will feature lectures, readings and a short story writing workshop.

When: July

Where: Mitchelstown, Co. Cork

More: www.mitchelstownliterarysummerschool.com

High on a heather-covered hillside awaits Anam Cara, a tranquil spot set apart to nurture and to provide sanctuary for those who create. Whether you come to work on a writing or artistic project of your own or as part of a workshop or special interest group, you will find support, creature comforts, and peace – all you need to produce your best work.

When: Year round, please get in touch for details.

Where: Eyeries, Beara Peninsula , County Cork

More: www.anamcararetreat.com

Since 1985, Tigh Filí Cultural Centre has been offering shelter, support and motivation to emerging writers, poets and artists by organising and facilitating readings, workshops, seminars and a poetry outreach programme. The centre coordinates and operates poetry, artwork and animation workshops at its own cultural centre and at festival and events across Ireland and Europe. It also houses a visual arts space and a children's gallery.

Now located in the recently renovated St Luke's Church overlooking the city, the history of the building alone makes it worth a visit! And it just happens to be a stone's throw from where Frank O'Connor grew up.

When: Year round, please get in touch for details.

Where: St. Luke's Church, Summerhill North, Cork City.

More: www.tighfili.com

There are some great, atmospheric bookshops in Cork City. Vibes and Scribes on Bridge Street is a Cork institution and a must for book lovers, as is Liam Russell's on Oliver Plunkett Street. Connolly's second hand bookshop in the corner of Rory Gallagher Place is an experience in itself. All of the shops stock fascinating books on the history, culture and people of Cork.

There are many more intriguing booksellers to explore as you stroll around the streets of Cork City!

University College Cork (UCC) dates back to 1845 and is an inspiring place to visit, only 1 kilometre from Cork City centre. Located at the centre of the UCC campus, this visitor centre is both the main information point and also the starting point for regular walking tours of the university. These walking tours trace the history and culture of the university while visitors can see the Gothic Revival Quadrangle, Ogham stones, Aula Maxima (Great Hall) and the Lewis Glucksman Gallery. Audio tours are also available. And you might even be tempted to relive your student days in the student's centre café or bar!

The Glucksman Gallery is an awardwinning visual arts venue, with a continuous programme of fascinating exhibitions.The Glucksman building itself has received numerous awards including Best Public Building in Ireland from the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and was shortlisted for the 2005 Stirling Prize.

When: Open year round, please get in touch for details.

Where: University College Cork, Cork City.

More: www.ucc.ie/en/visitors  | www.glucksman.org

Located right next to the Crawford Art Gallery in Emmett Place, the Cork Opera House offers audiences a world class programme across the performing arts: festivals, concerts, comedy, drama, musicals, contemporary and classical dance, family shows, the annual Christmas pantomime, and of course, opera.

In addition to the main stage, the 100-seat Half Moon Theatre is home to a busy programme of live music gigs and small scale drama.

Generations of Cork children grew up dreaming of one day performing on the Cork Opera House stage, so it has a really special place in the hearts of the locals.

When: Year round.

Where: Cork Opera House, Emmett Place, Cork City.

More: www.corkoperahouse.ie

The Shandon quarter is a fascinating little cultural microcosm in the centre of Cork City. Overlooked by the famous Shandon Bells in the steeple of St Anne's Church, this pedestrian friendly quarter sits half way up Shandon Street, heading North from the city. Visitors can pop into the Firkin Crane Dance Centre to see what's or stroll across to the Butter Museum to learn about the trading history of the city.

Where: The Shandon Quarter, Cork City.

When: Year round.

More: www.discoverireland.ie/cork

Features evening readings by international, national and local poets, a schools' programme, and lunchtime readings to honour Limerick poets and their achievements on the literary stage. Visitors can expect discussions, socialising, comraderie, nightly open mic sessions, book launches and the much-loved Cuisle Grand Poetry Slam.

Where: Limerick City.

When: October

More: www.limerick.ie/cuisle

A wonderful social and literary gathering bringing together book club members and readers from all over Ireland and beyond. Includes author readings, discussions, workshops and walking tours through the narrow streets and lanes of Ennis. The Ennis Book Club Festival offers sessions on running book clubs and advice on reading lists, chocolate tastings, events ‘as Gaeilge’ (in Irish) and an opportunity to compare notes and meet with other Book Club members.

Where: Ennis, County Clare

When: March

More: www.ennisbookclubfestival.com

Leading Irish and international poets, writers and thinkers collide with musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers at Eigse Michael Hartnett. Hosted throughout the town of Newcastle West, in the library, schools, the courthouse, church, hospital and pubs, the breadth of the programme creates an ambience of warmth and conviviality.

This part of County Limerick was home to a group of writers known as the gaelic poets of the Maigue, which included Sean O'Tuama. The town of Adare is close by, as is Foynes, home to the Flying Boat Museum and the Irish coffee!

When: April

Where: Newcastle West, County Limerick

More: www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie

Quite controversial in her day, two of Kate O'Brien's books were banned in Ireland. These days Limerick hosts an annual literary weekend in honour of Kate O'Brien who is undeniably one of Limerick City’s best known literary exports.

When: February

Where: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick City

More: www.kateobrienweekend.com

Established in honour of Brian Merriman, author of the eighteenth century Rabelaisian poem, Cúirt an Mheán Oíche (The Midnight Court). These events encourage interest in the poet and in the history and tradition of Thomond, the ancient Munster district that includes parts of Tipperary and Limerick, along with County Clare. They also strive to encourage interest in every aspect of Irish culture: the language, history, literature, dance and music.

When: Winter and Summer schools, dates vary.

Where: Various locations around County Clare - also varies!

More: www.merriman.ie