Having picked up my weekly greens and cheese in the Temple Bar Market in Meeting House Square on Saturday morning, I walked home by Smock Alley Theatre, established in 1662. Opposite the theatre is The Gutter Bookshop, which takes its name from an Oscar Wilde quotation (I’ll leave it to you to read the bookshop window or do some online research).

The window sill inside was covered in fliers, free magazines and booklets, advertising current and upcoming cultural events, including the Dublin Book Festival, running from the 13-18th November. With novels, architecture, sport, food, economics, history, children’s books, short stories and poetry, there’s plenty to get your head round over the six days.

Highlights include the broadcaster and author John Bowman in conversation with historian Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD, whose most recent book examines the rapidly changing Ireland of the 1970s. Bowman’s latest publication is a history of RTE television, also dealing with large scale social upheaval or evolution, depending on your point of view.
Crime writers and economists will take a look at the Ireland of today, while the ‘Memory Man’, RTE sports broadcaster Jimmy Magee will reminisce on his lengthy career.

Have a look at the festival website for more details:
http://www.dublinbookfestival.com/