Literature

Beginners welcome, or if experienced to sharpen your game, and for those who are keen can join team preparation for a summer 7-a-side tournament free for members..

Come to this fascinating lecture at the James Joyce Centre as part of the Bloomsday Celebrations. COST: 11:70 euros Tickets from Eventbrite Dive into the "Dublins" of literary legends Jonathan Swift and James Joyce in this special Bloomsday Festival lecture by Dr. Brendan Twomey. Join us at **[The James Joyce Centre](https://www.jamesjoyce.ie/ "https://www.jamesjoyce.ie")** for a special **[Bloomsday Festival](https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/ "https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie")** lecture on **Monday, 15 June at 5:30 pm** by **Dr. Brendan Twomey** about how the city of Dublin shaped (and were shaped by) two of its most iconic writers: **Jonathan Swift** and **James Joyce**. This illustrated talk will use the **[Brookings map of Dublin](https://www.dublinportarchive.com/collection/charles-brooking-map-dublin/ "https://www.dublinportarchive.com/collection/charles-brooking-map-dublin/")** of 1728 and Swift's comments on Dublin city as a starting point. Swift and Joyce may have been separated by two centuries but to say that they were opinionated about their native city is an understatement. Both writers have instant global visual and literary recognition that is forever associated with Dublin and both are still relevant "after all these years." Both sought, albeit using very different registers and coming from very different social, economic and cultural perspectives, to capture the essence of the spirit of their home city as reflected in its people, its politics, as well as its physical manifestation in its streetscapes and its buildings. Details: **Book your ticket on Eventbrite BEFORE pressing ATTEND!** **DETAILS:** **17:30:** Meet Inside the James Joyce Centre. It is free seating, so we will go to the lecture Hall as soon as opens. 6:00pm Lecture begins 7:00om Lecture ends We will go to cofffee afterwards.

TOG Watch Night: The Secret Life of Components (Tim Hunkin) We’re kicking off a new bi-weekly Monday Watch Night at TOG. We’ll watch an episode of Tim Hunkin’s “The Secret Life of Components” together, then have a relaxed Q&A and discussion afterwards. This is a friendly, low-pressure way to learn the kind of practical tips you normally only pick up through years of making, fixing, and building. Perfect for beginners, makers, repair folks, and engineers who enjoy the practical side of components and mechanisms. How it works \- Watch together \(one episode per night\) \- Q&A and chat after: questions\, examples\, tangents\, and “how would we do this at TOG?” \- If you miss a week\, no stress\. Watch it at home and come along to the next one First session \- Monday 26 January \- Episode 1: Chain \- Free and open to all \- TOG Hackerspace \(Dublin 12\, D12 CF6V\) Full details: https://www.tog.ie/2026/01/tog-watch-night-the-secret-life-of-components-tim-hunkin/

UPDATE:LOCATION THIS WEEK: HERBERT PARK (due to festival in Merrion square park). Join us for an ultimate Frisbee session, and meet some lovely people. This is a relaxed evening of Ultimate Frisbee in Herbert Park. No experience? No problem. Just bring yourself and whatever makes you comfy outdoors. But dress to run! NB: Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport. Do your utmost to avoid collisions with other players. 🗓 **What’s Happening** \*Gentle warm-up + Frisbee basics * Friendly, low-pressure Ultimate Frisbee games \*Optional: sideline cheering, lounging * Cool down & post-game hang 📍 **Where** **Herbert park**, Dublin 💶 **Contribution** **€2 contribution** is suggested, to help cover our meetup costs and gear (bibs, frisbee, cones etc.). Revolut ref tag: [https://revolut.me/marise3](https://revolut.me/marise3) No pressure — you can join us either way. 🧺 **What to Bring** \*Your fave snacks or drink (solo or to share) * A blanket or something comfy to sit on \*Sunscreen, water, good energy, and running shoes ☁️ **Weather Watch** If it rains, we’ll update this page **90 minutes beforehand**. (Also: the traditional sun dance is already scheduled 🌞) 🔗 **More ways to connect** Looking for more social and creative outdoor & indoor fun? 👉 [https://activesocialconnections.com/](https://activesocialconnections.com/)

Most places we meet other gay men are bars, apps, or busy social scenes. This is something a little different. Gay Men’s Circle is a relaxed evening where you can connect with other men in a more real and grounded way. No pressure to perform, impress, or have the right words. Some men share what’s going on in their lives. Others simply listen and take in the conversation. Both are completely welcome. Many people say they rarely get the chance to spend time with other gay men like this. It is often surprisingly refreshing. No experience with circles or men’s work is needed. Just come along and see how it feels. ### Practical details Please bring **€5 to cover the cost of the room** No entry **10 minutes after the start time** We meet **downstairs in the Theatre Room** Ring the **front door bell** to get in (the café is closed on Mondays) If you RSVP and cannot make it, please update your RSVP so someone else can attend.

📚Reading books and discussing them are two distinct experiences! Conversations about books and sharing insights help us better appreciate literature and enrich our lives. [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dublinersjoysofreading) Let's grab a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and discuss books we're currently reading or have recently enjoyed—whether poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. Bring your physical book or e-reader. There's no formal structure or agenda—just books and good conversation.💬 It's a perfect place to get book recommendations and rediscover your reading momentum if you've hit a slump. We welcome readers of all backgrounds and interests! ⚠️**Something Happened?** If something unpleasant happened to you, it may happen to others. Even if it seems minor, don't hesitate to reach out to me. 🔍 **How to find us?** * When I reach the venue, I'll leave a comment in the meetup where the group is seated. Normally, the booking is in my name, so you can ask the staff for the group. * If you're unable to find us, leave a comment in the meetup page. I'll be able to guide you. We highly encourage you to move between tables and strike up conversations with fellow book lovers. These discussions about literature and reading recommendations are often the highlight of the event! As an organizer, I'm always looking for feedback about the event and suggestions for new events, so feel free to suggest ideas to me. 💡 I look forward to seeing you all! 😊

## Details The title of the event is a paradox! Read in silence and then discuss with like-minded folks! :-) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dublinersjoysofreading) 📝 **How does this work?** We will meet in the Bartley's Restaurant area from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM for silent reading and followed up by discussion. **During silent reading, you're expected to remain silent and read.** Please bring your headphones and refrain from the discussion during the first one hour in the area. 👥 **Socialising** After an hour, at 8:15 PM, we'll discuss and socialize about the book you're reading. We highly encourage you to move between tables and strike up conversations with fellow book lovers. These discussions about literature and reading recommendations are often the highlight of the event! Feel free to join at any point during the event. The event is indoors, hopefully, we can continue the tradition of the silent reading in the winter! **📌 Helpful Tips and Notes** * Bring headphones to block out surrounding noise * I will post a comment on the event page when I arrive to indicate where we're seated, so everyone can find us * If you prefer to skip the silent reading, you can join directly at the bar at 8:15 PM ⚠️**Something Happened?** If something unpleasant happened to you, it may happen to others. It may be small but don't hesitate to reach out to me. Looking forward to meeting you all 😊

This group is all about hosting a monthly in-person book club right here in Dublin City! If you're into the book we're reading and want to chat about it with others, this is the perfect spot for you. We'll meet for about 1-2 hours, enjoy some drinks and/or food, and dive into the book of the month—sharing our thoughts, exploring themes, and swapping recommendations for future reads. We suggest a €2 voluntary contribution per person to help cover MeetUp fees (cash or Revolut works). See you there!

Hi there, Here are the books for the June 16th meetup. And remember, you don't have to read both books! Enjoy, and see you on the 16th of June! PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOCATION HAS MOVED FROM THE BLEEDING HORSE TO JIMMY RABBITTE AT 87 LOWER CAMDEN STREET. Note: If these books are difficult to find in bookshops, try online (e.g.: Amazon.co.uk, kennys.ie, easons.com, bookdepository.com to name a few). AS THIS GROUP DOES NOT TAKE ONLINE PAYMENTS, EVERYONE WILL SHOW AS 'UNPAID'. PLEASE IGNORE. **1\. Empire of AI \- Karen Hao** An eye-opening account of the tech arms race shaping out planet, from an award-winning journalist and AI insider to the world of Sam Altman and OpenAI When longtime AI expert and journalist Karen Hao first began covering OpenAI in 2019, she thought they were the good guys. Founded as a nonprofit with safety enshrined as its core mission, it was meant, its leader Sam Altman told us, to act as a check against more purely market forces. But the core truth of this massively disruptive sector is that it requires an unprecedented amount of proprietary resources: the ‘compute’ power of scarce high-end chips, the sheer volume of data that needs to be amassed at scale, the humans on the ground ‘cleaning it up’ for sweatshop wages throughout the Global South, and a truly alarming spike in the need for energy and water underlying everything. We have entered a new, ominous age of empire with OpenAI setting a breakneck pace, as a small group of the most valuable companies in human history try to chase it down. In exhilarating prose and with unparalleled access to those closest to Sam Altman, Hao recounts the meteoric rise of OpenAI and shows us the sinister impact that this industry is having on society. **2\. Leonard and Hungry Paul – Ronan Hession** Leonard and Hungry Paul is the story of two friends who ordinarily would remain uncelebrated. It finds a value and specialness in them that is not immediately apparent and prompts the idea that maybe we could learn from the people that we overlook in life. Leonard and Hungry Paul change the world differently to the rest of us: we try and change it by effort and force; they change it by discovering the small things they can do well and offering them to others. Séamus

**[Paid Event - 20 EUR | Ticket Mandatory](https://moli.ie/events/bloomsday)** This Bloomsday, step into the world of James Joyce at MoLI (Museum of Literature Ireland) where readers, writers and visitors from around the world will gather to celebrate one of the world’s greatest literary masterpieces in the very place where Joyce once studied. Join us for the annual **MoLI Bloomsday Garden Party**, running from 6pm to 9.30pm on 16 June. Guests can enjoy live performances from songwriter Cara Coyle and her band, as well as Dunny, a three-piece group featuring Donnacha O’Malley, Des Garvey and Jack McGarry. The evening will close with the joyful sounds of Regional Massapê, a Brazilian traditional choro ensemble. Presented in partnership with Teeling Whiskey Distillery, the MoLI Bloomsday Garden Party has become one of the highlights of Dublin’s summer calendar. Tickets are €20 for non-members, while MoLI members receive complimentary admission. Guests will be welcomed with a specially created Bloomsday cocktail courtesy of Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Located in the historic UCD Newman House, where Joyce graduated in 1902, MoLI is home to Copy No. 1 of Ulysses, personally inscribed by the author himself. From special Joycean-themed guided tours to live music and summer cocktails in the museum’s historic gardens, MoLI offers one of Dublin’s most memorable Bloomsday experiences. Set across a single day in Dublin in 1904, *Ulysses* continues to captivate readers and writers around the world more than a century after its publication. Joyce famously said that in writing the novel, he wanted to *“give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city one day suddenly disappeared from the earth it could be reconstructed out of my book.”* [The Bloomsday Festival](https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/) takes place on 11-16 June 2026. It is organised by [The James Joyce Centre](https://www.jamesjoyce.ie/) in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

Hello Everyone! Let's read something before coming to the event. It can be a few pages from a book, an article, a poem, an advertisement, a joke, a recipe, a quote, social media content - anything you find interesting. We meet and chat about it, as a starting point of conversation. Please feel free to bring books :)

SATURDAY MEET UP Let's mingle with anybody and everybody who's simply interested in Korean or Irish culture. This is a group for anyone looking to get out and about, meet new people, socialise and enjoy a night out. It will be for all to have loads of craic. Looking forward to seeing old and new faces. **For this week** **we have booked a table for us upstairs in the name of Dublin Korean Culture Meet Up. When entering the restaurant please ask for our group.** Our aim is to create a friendly, sociable and safe way for people to meet and discuss Korean and Irish culture. If you been made to feel uncomfortable or have seen inappropriate behaviour at a meet up then please contact one of our organisers in confidence. \*\*\* PLEASE RSVP \*\*\* Photo Credit: Yeon Jung via Pexels It is not necessary to buy food, but if you don't please buy at least one drink as restaurants have had a hard time during the pandemic. \*\*\* This meetup is for adults only (18+) except where accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (proof of status e.g. court documents may be requested) \*\*\* How to get to the meet up: *LUAS* \- the Drunken Fish is right next to the Mayor Square \- NCI Luas stop on the red line *DART/Irish Rail* \- Dublin Connolly is probably the easiest station for most people\, but the Docklands station is also close *PARKING* \- the carpark for the National College of Ireland \(NCI\) is probably the most convenient and only charges 5 euro for the whole evening after 5\.30pm Meetup details below: New faces welcome!! Bring your 친구 too. [Place] Drunken Fish Restaurant/Bar, The Excise Building, Mayor Street Lower, IFSC, Dublin 1 [Hosts] Caoimhe, Jay, Eileen, Saksham and Stephen Please contact us using the below details if you have any questions or trouble finding us. [Organiser contact] Bobbie: Instagram: GoodMoodFoodInsta Tim: (WhatsApp: 085 718 5658) \*RSVP ESSENTIAL!!!! PLEASE DO RSVP!!!! \*Bring your ID if you're lucky enough to look under 25! ;) \*There's no admission fee for our meetup however, you'll be kindly asked to purchase at least 1 drink after your arrival. As you could probably imagine, it's not so easy to book such a big place on a Friday evening in Dublin city centre and your cooperation in this will greatly help us to secure the place for our future gatherings. \*Take good care of your own belongings and do not consume more alcohol than you can handle, Meetup organisers nor venue management do not hold any responsibilities on lost items before/during or after the meetup. Hope to see you all there! :)

**Our June novel is: *The Eights* by Joanna Miller** **This month’s novel is set during World War I. It’s a 20th-century historical fiction story about friendship and war, with coming-of-age elements and a slightly haunted tone. The book is 384 pages in print and 10 hours and 9 minutes on audiobook.** Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its one-thousand-year history, Oxford University officially admits female students. Burning with dreams of equality, four young women move into neighboring rooms in Corridor 8. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto—collectively known as The Eights—come from all walks of life, each driven by their own motives, each holding tight to their secrets, and are thrown into an unlikely, unshakable friendship. Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed. Among the historic spires, and in the long shadow of the Great War, the four women must navigate and support one another in a turbulent world in which misogyny is rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War don’t always remain dead.

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

This month we’ll be reading Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

Join us for our June Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss [The Queer Principles of Kit Webb](https://catsebastian.com/the-queer-principles-of-kit-webb/) by Cat Sebastian in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.