Running from May 19th to 28th, Dublin's International Literature Festival (ILFD) is a chance for bibliophiles and literature enthusiasts to celebrate the novel of reading, writing, and storytelling. Now, the annual event has announced this year's line-up of programmes and events.

2023 will be the festival's 26th year running. Taking place in Merrion Square Park and brought to the city by the Dublin City Council it was also made possible with support from the Arts Council. The ten-day festival will include 180 events, 36 of which are family-friendly.

“International Literature Festival Dublin is always one of the highlights of the year and once again I’m looking forward to welcoming some of the worlds best authors, homegrown and from further afield, to the festival and our city," says Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy.

"It’s great to see the Literary Village return to Merrion Square, watched over by one of our best loved authors, Oscar Wilde. With a programme of over 170 events, I encourage everyone to come out and celebrate the power of words with other literature fans in the heart of Dublin, a UNESCO designated City of Literature and a UNESCO Learning City.”

Stanley Tucci, Berlinale 2017, Archive: 2017-02-11-9963-1077 © Gerhard Kassner

With a diverse mix of authors, speakers, creatives, and performers from over 28 countries, the International Literature Festival endeavours to empower creativity and foster an adoration for reading in everyone. The programmes are divided up into three categories, covering Conversations, Kids & Family, and Fringe & Advance.

Stanley Tucci, the renowned actor and author of Taste: My Life Through Food, is hosting the Conversations programme Tastemaker. With a tour of his kitchen and career in Hollywood, he'll be at ILFD on Saturday, May 20th at the Speranza venue.

He's not the only person making a visit to Dublin for the festival, though. A key feature of this year's programme, the ILFD is encouraging cross-cultural conversations and spotlighting international talent in addition to Irish authors.

Schitt's Creek screenwriter Monica Heisey has plans to take her audience on a tour of her novel Really Good, Actually with Sophie White. Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse will also discuss her gripping debut novel All Your Children Scattered, an exploration of the aftermath and horrific effects of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda on the Tsutsi people survivors.

Other announced events include Hearts and Bones author Niamh Mulvey and My Father's House novelist Joseph O'Connor chatting about their lives and influences and the Irish novelist Roddy Doyle sitting down with Yeva Skalietska, a twelve-year-old Ukrainian girl who documented history-altering events in her diary.

Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse - Photo Credit: Frederic Founeau

A trifecta of Irish crime novelists, Catherine Ryan Howard, Claire Allan, and Jane Casey, will discuss "the sinister side of stardom, suburbia, and the search for lost things." Finally, Glórtha Aiteacha / Queer Voices writers from ShoutOut will host a Conversations event celebrating queer community and hosting Takin' the Mic, Irish Writers Centre will feature a lovely evening of poetry and prose in both English and Irish.

The Children & Families programme will include Frankie's World author Aoife Dooley,  Wild City illustrator Ashwin Chacko, and UK talent, the award-winning illustrator Benji Davies.

The Fringes & Advance category of events offers unusual opportunities that redefine the traditional literature festival. Some of this year's events include a performance from Limerick hip hop artist Strange Boy, a recent recipient of the Liam O'Flynn Award and who is known for mixing elements of traditional Irish music with social commentary. Other events include walking tours, other performances, and more.

Only a month away, the International Literature Festival Dublin has more events and programmes available to view online on their website. There, you can also make reservations for events.

Book tickets for the International Literature Festival Dublin 2023, here: