A Bookworms Paradise

Rediscover Archbishop Marsh’s Library

Dublin's oldest public lending library nestles in the shadow of St Patrick's Cathedral

15.07.16

Life, Love The Liberties, Visit

Archbishop Marsh’s Library is a beautifully-preserved building from the early eighteenth century. Opened as Ireland’s first public library in 1707, the original oak bookcases house more than 25,000 rare and fascinating books. Famous readers have included Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and James Joyce.  Located beside St Patrick’s Cathedral, the library is one of the city’s true gems and its well worth rediscovering if you haven’t been for a while. Children particularly welcome, but do beware of the ghost of the Archbishop.

 

Current Exhibition: Bram Stoker & the Haunting of Marsh’s Library


‘Bram Stoker and the Haunting of Marsh’s Library’ is an online version of an exhibition at Marsh’s Library, Dublin.

It describes what the author of Dracula read in our small library as a teenager in 1866 and 1867. Click on the images below to read a short description of each item Stoker requested from the librarian.

Several books Stoker consulted here mention Transylvania and the historical figure of Dracula, but it is unlikely that his trips to this library directly inspired his most famous novel, which was published three decades later.

The books Stoker requested in Marsh’s do explain, though, why the vampires in the Dracula story are killed on 5 November. For many, this was the date on which Britain was saved from evil, with the discovery of Guy Fawkes’ plot in 1605 and the invasion by William of Orange in 1688. Read more.

Entrance fees are 3 Euros for adults, 2 Euros for concessions and Free for children. Opening times: 9.30am – 5.00pm daily (except Tues & Sundays) and opening at 10.00am Saturdays.

Archbishop Marsh's Library
A Bookworms Paradise

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