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Black and white photograph of the Riverrun of Language exhibition at MoLI.

Exhibition installation image by Donal Murphy

About the Museum

Conversations began in 2010 between the National Library of Ireland and UCD around a creative alliance between two unique assets – the NLI’s Joyce collections and UCD’s most significant historic property, Newman House.

Photo taken by Conor Healy

A working group was established in 2012 and an exceptionally generous donation from Martin and Carmel Naughton turned the idea into reality. Scott Tallon Walker Architects and Ralph Appelbaum Associates were engaged to transform Newman House’s Aula Maxima building into a 10,000ft² exhibition space. While doing this, they aimed to create universal access across all the buildings of the historic site where UCD itself was founded.

Further generous funding and strategic advice from Fáilte Ireland brought the project to construction stage. Builders arrived on site in October 2017, and the Museum of Literature Ireland opened to the public on 21 September, 2019.

Photograph of several people at MoLI's 'Riverrun of Language' exhibition.

Photograoh of several people at the Riverrun of Language exhibtion at MoLI.

Photograph of a bust of Oscar Wilde.

Photograph of the ADAM Quartet.

Photograph of items, including mugs and jewellery, in the MoLI giftshop.

Black and white photograph of a woman.

Photograph of an artpiece made of yellow building blocks against a blue background.

Photograph of people viewing artefacts at the Ink and Imagination exhibition at MoLI.

Photograph of a detail on a fireplace, depicting a bird upon a key with a branch in its mouth.

Photograph of a bookcase with glass screens, behind a circular wooden table on which several books and pamphlets sit.

Photograph of the mezzanine on the first floor of MoLI.

Photograph of the interior of the Commons at MoLI.

Photograph of several books related to James Joyce and Sylvia Beach.

Photo taken by Conor Healy

Photograph of a bookcase, a painting and a table with a bust, all behind ornate railings.

Photograph of four people looking at a manuscript in a glass case.

Photograph of three microphones and a lamp on a desk.

Photograph of Will Govan performing as Oscar Wilde in 'Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes'.

Exhibitions at MoLI

A City of Words

How Dublin became a literary city beloved by readers all over the world.

Illustration of a girl eating toast with jam, from 'What I Like Most'.

What I Like Most

Step into the enchanting world of Mary Murphy’s beloved children’s story, What I Like Most ...

Photograph of Ulysses Copy No. 1.

Copy No. 1

Witness the very first copy of James Joyce's Ulysses up close.

Photograoh of several people at the Riverrun of Language exhibtion at MoLI.

Riverrun of Language

Experience the sound of Irish literature up close in this immersive installation.

Colourful graphic featuring a photograph of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde's De Profundis

7 March – 31 August 2026

MoLI’s De Profundis installation presents key passages of Oscar Wilde's text through the voices of a contemporary community of LGBTQ+ writers, artists and activists.

Dear, Dirty Dublin

Explore Joyce's Dublin: For centuries writers have been inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of Dublin, and none more so than James Joyce.

Joyce's Century

A constellation of Irish writers who shine brightly in the world of literature.

The State and Irish Writing

As the new nation struggled into existence, what role did literature play in creating and resisting national identity?

A Mind At Work

Every literary masterpiece starts somewhere, often with a blank page and a good idea.

Photograph of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass in Ireland

This mobile exhibition recounted the life, work and Irish connections of Frederick Douglass, who wrote the pivotal memoir Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

Photograph of Peig Sayers, edited with a blue overlay.

Thar Balach Isteach (Into The Island)

1 July – 1 February 2023

Exploring the story of Peig Sayers and the storytellers of the Blaskets.

Edited photograph of James Joyce.

Ulysses | Film

16 May 2020 – 16 June 2020

A personal response to, and cinematic ‘reading’ of, Joyce’s iconic novel by Alan Gilsenan.

The MoLI shop

The MoLI shop stocks Irish literature & crafts. Every purchase supports our learning & schools programme.

Photograph of a book of poems titled 'In Dublin They Really Tell You Things' by Pat Ingoldsby.

Pat Ingoldsby Selection Poems 1986-2021

Photograph of a tote bag depicting Newman House.

MoLI Newman House Tote Bag Small

Photograph of a postcard depicting a stylised James Joyce.

James Joyce Poster

More from the shop

RadioMoLI

a digital archive for Irish literature

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Our Supporters

Our funders, sponsors and partners.

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