Dublin history festival unveils free 2026 programme

Dublin City Council has revealed the extensive schedule for the upcoming Dublin Festival of History, which will run from 26 September to 11 October. Now in its fourteenth year, the free event series aims to bring fresh perspectives on the past by engaging leading Irish and international historians. The celebration will commence with The Big Weekend and conclude with a special European History Day at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, offering residents a diverse range of talks and debates.

The opening Saturday will see the programme decentralised to libraries and community hubs in Coolock, Cabra, Pearse Street, and Inchicore. Highlights include a panel on the social history of Dublin’s football clubs, a discussion on the poet Eva Gore-Booth at Richmond Barracks, and an exploration of the city’s iconic public art. Sunday will return to the Mansion House, featuring sessions on The Shortest History of Ireland, the Cambridge Five espionage ring, and the Weimar Republic. The lineup also marks significant centenaries, including a century of Fianna Fáil and the release of the 1926 Census returns, which will be analysed by leading academics.

Lord Mayor Daryl Barron emphasised that history is embedded in the streets and communities of the city, rather than confined to museums. Iseult Dunne, Chief Executive of the Culture Company, highlighted the partnership with Dublin City Libraries to make these narratives accessible to all. The festival, which collaborates with over 90 partners, also includes content in the Irish language and dedicated workshops for young people. Residents can view the full schedule at dublinfestivalofhistory.ie, where booking opens at 10am on Thursday 27 August.