James Joyce Centre
Housed in a meticulously restored Georgian townhouse, the James Joyce Centre museum is devoted to one of Ireland’s greatest literary figures. The house once hosted the dance academy of Denis Maginni, a minor character in Joyce’sUlysses, and now showcases Joycean artifacts including furniture from his Paris apartment and displays on his life and writings.
The Basics
Visitors can explore the three floors of the 18th-century building with the aid of a free audio tour. Exhibits include the door or 7 Eccles Street, whereUlysses characters Leopold and Molly Bloom lived; a re-creation of Joyce’s study; and documentary films focusing on topics such as the controversy surroundingUlysses.
The center runs guided walking tours inspired byDubliners and the movements of Leopold Bloom that cover sights with Joycean connections. Hop-on hop-off tour buses stop at the center, while some sightseeing-pass ticket holders are entitled to free skip-the-line entry.
Things to Know Before You Go
James Joyce Centre is a must for literary fans and Joyce enthusiasts.
In addition to the permanent exhibits, special Joyce-related exhibits are often shown at the house.
The ground floor of the building is accessible via ramp, though the exhibition spaces on the upper floors are accessible only by stairs.
How to Get There
The James Joyce Centre is situated on North Great George’s Street. The Parnell Luas stop, served by the Luas Green Line tram, is just a 2-minute walk away, and several Dublin bus routes stop nearby.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
James Joyce Centre is open daily, April–September, and from Tuesday through Sunday, October–March. Tours run more frequently during summer. One of the best times of the year to visit is during the annual Bloomsday festival celebrating Joyce, which takes place June 16 and features special tours, Bloomsday breakfasts, and other events at the center.
Dublin’s Joycean Attractions
Though Joyce left Dublin in his early twenties, the city remained a big inspiration for the writer, featuring heavily in his fiction, fromDubliners toUlysses. In the seaside suburb of Sandycove, Joyce fans can visit the Joyce Tower and Museum, a Martello tower where Joyce stayed in 1904. Other Joyce-connected sights include the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street, which features in theDubliners short story “The Dead”; Belvedere College, the Jesuit-run secondary school Joyce attended; and Sweny’s, a Victorian-era chemist mentioned inUlysses.
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