There’s plenty of reasons for raising a glass along the Liffey as Dublin joins Edinburgh, Iowa City and Melbourne as a UNESCO City of Literature.
Wheeler Centre Director Chrissy Sharp said of the decision “With the deep roots between Melbourne and Ireland we welcome Dublin as a sister city in literature and we look forward to bringing Irish writers to Melbourne.”
The Irish Times quotes Minister for Culture and Tourism Mary Hanafin who said the city earned the title for the “rich historical literary past of the city, the vibrant contemporary literature, the variety of festivals and attractions available and because it is the birthplace, and home of literary greats.”
The city of Joyce and Wilde is the fourth city to be named and is a result of lobbying by the Dublin City Library on Pearse Street, which is also home to the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.