As befits the capital city of a nation of writing greats, Dublin has been annointed a UNESCO City of Literature. Melbourne, Edinburgh and Iowa City are the other three such recipiants, so it is quite some achievement. 

Joyce, Wilde, Beckett, Yeats... these and many more internationally renowned scribes cement Ireland's status as a great literary nation. And Dublin has picked up the mighty mantle and is gearing up for a series of celebratory events.

 

Exhibitions, festivals, events and more eschew the theme and begin in March with the return of the Dublin Book Festival. Many parts of the city will be hosting events ranging from readings to writing competitions. Check out The National Library, City Hall and independent bookshops, as well as www.dublinbookfestival.com for lots more ideas and up-to-date info.  

 

Then, on March 18, the gleaming new Dublin Convention Centre will be filled with music, poetic recitals, film, words and drama as DublinSwell rolls into town.  This unique event beings together an illustrious list of Dublin writers, singer songwriters and actors to produce one spectacular evening. Nobel Laureate poet Seamus Heaney, The Commitments author Roddy Doyle, Oscar-winning singer songwriter Glen Hansard and best-selling author Cathy Kelly are among the noted pen pushers taking part. Book your tickets now at www.tickets.ie.

 

And Ireland's Patron Saint adopts the theme as the St. Patrick’s Festival (17-20 March) goes literary with its parades, treasure trails and lots more green-gilded events. Read up and bookmark your favourite bits  at www.stpatricksfestival.ie.

 

And the life and career of one of the city's most famous songwriting sons is celebrated with The Phil Lynott Exhibition. Lead singer songwriter of the band Thin Lizzy, Lynott's music remains as memorable today as it was when the band was at its peak. And with the recent untimely death of fellow Thin Lizzy band member Gary Moore, the exhibition will prove even more poignant. The exhibition will appear in the gallery on the top floor of St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre from 3 March - 4 April. Lynott's guitars, lyric books and even school reports will be among the artefacts on display. For more info, and to book tickets, visit www.philiplynottexhibition.com.

 

In April, the annual Dublin One City One Book Festival once again features a book with a Dublin connection. This year's tome is the best-sellingGhost Light by Joseph O’Connor and everyone is encouraged to read up and enjoy as street theatre brings the work to life. Visit www.dublinonecityonebook.ie for lots more info on the melange of dances, talks, drama, competitions, music recitals and much more.

For an overview of the City of Literature accolade and all the latest event info, keep in touch atwww.dublincityofliterature.com where the celebration never ends.