James Joyce Tower

One in a series of Martello towers built in 1804 to defend Ireland against Napoleon (who never came), the Joyce Tower overlooks the coast eight miles south of Dublin. Joyce's six-night stay at the tower in 1904 inspired the first chapter of his epic tome Ulysses - the gun platform and the living room are almost as he described them. With its museum and display of Joyce’s personal possessions, including letters, photographs, guitar and a Ulysses edition illustrated by Matisse, a daytrip to the Tower is an unmissable pilgrimage for fans of the literary genius.