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The Dalkey Book Festival founded by Sian Smyth and David Mcwilliams, takes place in one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland. Dalkey is a beautiful little medieval seaside town just half an hour outside Dublin, once home to George Bernard Shaw, schoolhouse of James Joyce and stomping ground of Beckett and Flann O'Brien. 

 

A mix of literature, ideas, history, comedy, politics and world affairs, the festival tackles serious issues but it is also a lot of fun. Many authors return year on year to speak on panels, sign books, meet up in the authors' lounge over drinks and lunches over the long weekend. Here is a short trailer to tempt you: The Magic of the Dalkey Book Festival  

 

In 2025 , we hosted giants of literature, including Pultizer winner Paul Muldoon, Booker winners John Banville and Roddy Doyle and Oscar winner Neil Jordan as well as Elif Shafak, Colum McCann, Joseph O'Connor, Donal Ryan, Elaine Feeney and Wendy Erskine.  We also hosted Michael Lewis (The Big Short), Steven Pinker (The Bank Slate),  and a host of FInancial Times writers. (The FT Weekend is our international media partner.)