Literary Dublin Pub Crawl
In the Footsteps of Joyce, Behan & Beckett
Dublin's literature was forged over creamy pints and lively debates in public houses. Relive Leopold Bloom's gorgonzola sandwich at Davy Byrnes, Brendan Behan's sharp wit in McDaid's, and Patrick Kavanagh's quiet corner in the Palace Bar.
Turn-by-Turn Crawl Stops
6 Verified Stops
The Duke
9 Duke St, D02 H302 · Est. 1822
Historic starting venue of the world-famous Dublin Literary Pub Crawl since 1822, steeped in James Joyce and Brendan Behan history.
Davy Byrnes
21 Duke St, D02 X677 · Est. 1798
Immortalized in Chapter 8 of Joyce's Ulysses where Leopold Bloom eats gorgonzola sandwich with burgundy wine.
McDaid's
3 Harry St, D02 H889 · Est. 1779
Former city morgue with towering gothic ceilings. Regular haunt of Brendan Behan.
The Palace Bar
21 Fleet St, Temple Bar, D02 H950 · Est. 1823
Historic haunt of Dublin satirists and poets (Flann O'Brien, Patrick Kavanagh).
Toner's
139 Baggot Street Lower, D02 N822 · Est. 1818
The only pub poet W.B. Yeats drank in. Incredible antique snug & massive beer garden.
Mulligan's
8 Poolbeg St, D02 W380 · Est. 1782
Regarded by Dubliners as home of the finest pint in the city. Joyce 'Dubliners' setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pub on this crawl is featured directly in Ulysses? ▾
Davy Byrnes on Duke Street is immortalized in Ulysses (Episode 8, Lestrygonians) where Leopold Bloom stops for lunch.
Why is McDaid's famous in Irish literary history? ▾
McDaid's was the postwar epicenter of Dublin's bohemian literary circle, regular home to Brendan Behan, Flann O'Brien, and J.P. Donleavy.
Is the Literary Crawl suitable for casual readers? ▾
Absolutely! The history is entertaining, the Victorian woodwork is breathtaking, and the pubs are vibrant, welcoming spaces whether you've read Joyce or not.
How long is the total walking distance? ▾
The route covers 2.8 km (about 35 minutes total walking time) centered around Trinity College and Grafton Street.