The National Library of Ireland in Dublin's Kildare Street is hallowed ground to all those interested in Irish literature. Not only has every Irish writer since James Joyce visited here (or so one would assume). Joyce himself located a scene in „Ulysses“ here – Stephen Daedalus debating literature, quite fittingly.
Try debating literature here at length and with more than a whisper and you'll be dragged out on your ear.
There is public access to the National Library, but the staff will have you jumping through a few hoops first. This is no place for a quick look-see and a snap, so unless you are really interested, skip it.
The collection is priceless – Irish books back to the 17th century, old maps and a newspaper archive are just some highlights. But the building itself is worth a look or two.
