Dublin Festival of History 2025 Launch

This year’s festival offers an exciting programme of over 250 free events, taking place from 26 September to 12 October at various venues across Dublin with the Big Weekend in the Round Room at the Mansion House, from Saturday 27 September to Sunday 28 September.

All the events are free, but it is highly recommended that people book for any session they are interested in to secure their place. To see the complete list of events please visit: https://dublinfestivalofhistory.ie/events/. 

The festival opens with The Big Weekend at the Mansion House — a packed two-day programme of talks, debates and panel discussions. 

Highlights include Iain MacGregor’s The Hiroshima Men, a gripping exploration of the individuals behind the creation and deployment of the first atomic bomb, placing survivors’ testimonies and personal stories to the forefront; Kate Vigurs’ Mission Europe: The Secret History of the Women of Special Operations Executive, which shines a spotlight on the extraordinary women who risked everything behind enemy lines, and Roger Moorhouse’s Wolfpack: Hitler’s U-boat War 1939–44, a thrilling reconstruction of life aboard the German submarines of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Also featured are Jane Draycott’s Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome, bringing to life one of antiquity’s most remarkable women; Sam Dalrymple’s Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia, a compelling retelling of how borders were drawn across the subcontinent with lasting consequences, and Great Irish Wives, in which Nicola Pierce shines a spotlight on ten wives who were instrumental in their famous husbands' success, including Matilda Tone, Mary O’Connell, George Yeats and Beatrice Behan.

Brendan Teeling, Deputy City Librarian, said “Dublin Festival of History is a fantastic festival that showcases the depth of stories from the capital and internationally. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience history that Dubliners would not have previously known, to brush up on historical favourites and to delve deep into topics that are not widely spoken about.”

Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor Cllr Ray McAdam said “The Dublin Festival of History is a celebration of the shared love for history. Dublin has been shaped by the events, places and people of its past and this festival helps brings those stories to life over the course of the festival. Dubliners and visitors alike have a great opportunity to take in the wonderful history of our capital city.”

The Dublin Festival of History is an annual free festival, brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with the Dublin City Council Culture Company.

Dublin Festival of History

The Dublin Festival of History is an annual free festival, brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with the Dublin City Council Culture Company.

Now in its thirteenth year, the festival has built a reputation for shining a fresh perspective on history and its importance in our everyday lives, attracting best-selling Irish and international historians to Dublin for a high-profile programme of history talks and debate each Autumn.

Dublin City Council Culture Company

Dublin City Council Culture Company runs cultural initiatives and buildings across the city with, and for, the people of Dublin.

They collaborate with people, communities, cultural organisations, businesses, and Dublin City Council to embed cultural experiences and increase cultural participation throughout Dublin.

Dublin City Council Culture Company was incorporated in March 2018. ​Their vision is for a Dublin where creativity and access to culture builds lasting connections between people and the place they live. They are dedicated to delivering sustainable impact through accessible and engaging cultural experiences that expand cultural habits, build connections and grow cultural confidence.