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Oscar Wilde in Ireland
“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” – Oscar Wilde.
We'll ALWAYS be talking about Oscar Wilde, such is the legacy of the famous Irish poet, playwright, novelist and cultural icon. The 19th-century aesthete’s life echoed his work, being as dramatic as The Picture of Dorian Gray and as shocking as Salomé. From his early life in Ireland, Wilde triumphantly rose into high society, before suffering a fall from grace, which resulted in imprisonment, bankruptcy and death. Today, 125 years after he drew his final breath, Wilde remains one of the most-quoted authors ever, his name a byword for flamboyance and whimsy. Here are 10 ways to go Wilde in Ireland...
Oscar Wilde’s student residence, Trinity College Dublin
1. Trinity College Dublin
Visit Trinity College Dublin, where Wilde was educated in the early 1870s after receiving a scholarship. You can even see the student residence where the young scholar lived during his formative years here. The historic Trinity campus has been at the heart of Dublin life since 1592 and is home to the legendary Book of Kells. Oscar’s impact at the college lives on today, at The Trinity Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing.
Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
2. In Our Dreams – Wilde Weekend Festival, Enniskillen
Join fellow Wildeans for what’s billed as a weekend of “fairytale, fantasy and frivolity” at In Our Dreams – Wilde Festival Weekend in the island town of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Wilde went to school here through his teenage years, so it’s a fabulous chance to experience the sights and sounds that would’ve inspired the youngster, elements of which appear in his children’s classic, The Happy Prince and Other Tales. The action takes place October 16-20. Expect plays, pageants and storytelling.
Oscar Wilde House, Dublin
3. Oscar Wilde House, Dublin
Explore Wilde’s childhood home at Oscar Wilde House in Dublin, a stunning Georgian-era townhouse complete with period furnishings. The chance to walk within the four walls where a young Oscar grew up with his family is simply a MUST for fans of the author. Wander all four floors of the house on your own, or hear juicy tales of Wilde’s wonderful family on a guided tour with a Wilde scholar.
Oscar Wilde Monument, Dublin
4. Oscar Wilde Monument, Dublin
Across the road from Wilde’s family home in Merrion Square is a bucket list essential for Wilde lovers – the Oscar Wilde Monument by artist Danny Osborne. The life-sized statue (made of semi-precious stones to reflect Oscar’s love of beautiful things) sees Wilde relaxing on a huge 35-tonne quartz boulder, which came from the nearby Wicklow Mountains. Wilde, in his famous smoking jacket, is depicted with the right side of his face as happy, while the left side is sad – a nod to the tragic and comedic sides of the man and his writings.
Wilde Irish Chocolates, County Clare
5. Wilde Irish Chocolates, County Clare
Oscar Wilde – it’s a great name, right? Well, his name lives on not only through his masterworks, but also several Irish businesses who’ve taken it as inspiration. Wilde Irish Chocolates (chocolate factory tours available!) in County Clare creates “Wilde Moments” in the everyday with their playful range of sweet treats. On the savoury side of things, WILDE at the five-star Westbury hotel in Dublin is an elegant 1930s-style restaurant that Wilde himself would’ve adored.
Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, The Duke, Dublin
6. Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
The award-winning Dublin Literary Pub Crawl is street theatre, history tour and night in the pub all rolled into one! Since 1988, professional actors have been regaling visitors with stories about many of Dublin’s best-loved pubs, including Victorian gems The Long Hall and The Gin Palace. Wilde is one of the foremost writers quoted throughout the night, alongside fellow Irish legends, such as James Joyce and Brendan Behan. Pint of plain and a scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, anyone?
Marsh’s Library, Dublin
7. Oscariana – A Wilde Dublin Festival
Wish Oscar a happy birthday at Oscariana – A Wilde Dublin Festival, which starts on the date he was born – October 16 – and runs for several days at historic locations around Dublin, from Trinity College to Marsh’s Library. The schedule promises scandalous tours, movie showings of Wilde’s work, performances of his plays and more.
Dublin Pride Festival
8. LGBTQ+ icon
Celebrate Wilde’s status as an LGBTQ+ hero at Dublin Pride. Each June, Pride Month sees the city come alive with events, parades and celebrations of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer life in Ireland. Commemorations of Wilde have been central to the festival over the years. The writer’s complicated life as a married man who also had sexual relationships with men resonates to this day, as does his trial and two-year imprisonment in 1895 for “gross indecency”. Oscar wrote about his experience of prison labour in The Ballad of Reading Gaol upon his release. In 2017, he was posthumously pardoned for being unjustly convicted of homosexual crimes which no longer existed.
Ulysses Rare Books, Dublin
9. Ulysses Rare Books, Dublin
Pick up rare editions of Oscar Wilde’s books that will take pride of place on your bookshelf at Ulysses Rare Books, one of Dublin’s most-cherished bookshops. This antiquarian spot is a book lover’s dream. One could spend hours perusing the stacked shelves in search of favourite authors and titles. Beckett, Heaney, Enright... all of the Irish greats are featured in this cosy cornucopia of literary pleasures.
The Shelbourne, Dublin
10. The Shelbourne, Dublin
To finish, a toast to the great man amid lavish surroundings seems only fitting. So, head to The Shelbourne in Dublin – across from pretty St Stephen’s Green – where Wilde often stayed. It’s easy to see why he loved this five-star stunner, with its timeless beauty and effortless style. In that respect, the hotel and the man are well matched. Grab a drink of choice from one of the sumptuous bars or lounges and raise a glass in memory of Oscar Wilde. 125 years gone, but never forgotten... and ALWAYS talked about, in his home of Ireland most of all.
