One Dublin, One Book brings the city together through literature

Every April since 2005, Dublin residents have been encouraged to read the same book either written by a Dubliner or connected with the capital city, through the One Dublin, One Book campaign. To mark the 20th year of this mass cultural participation, Dublin City Council and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature commissioned an anthology of 22 poets and writers to capture Dublin in the first quarter of the century. 

Celebrating two decades of literary talent 

To mark its 20th anniversary in 2025, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature commissioned a new anthology titled Written in Our Hearts, edited by Declan Meade and published by The Stinging Fly Press. The collection features original work from 22 poets and writers with strong links to Dublin, providing a collective literary portrait of the city in the first quarter of the 21st century. This will help citizens reflect on their experience of living and working in the Irish capital and encourage mass cultural participation. 

Making literature inclusive and accessible 

Each year, One Dublin, One Book invites the public, library staff, and Irish publishers to nominate titles that reflect Dublin’s identity while ensuring accessibility. Selected books must be widely available through libraries and bookshops, appeal to a broad audience, and inspire public programming. 

Titles over the years have ranged from literary classics like Dubliners by James Joyce, to contemporary works such as Tatty by Christine Dwyer Hickey and The Coroner’s Daughter by Andrew Hughes. This approach ensures the programme resonates with diverse readers and encourages participation across generations and neighbourhoods. 

Extending engagement beyond the page 

Crucially, One Dublin, One Book goes beyond reading. The campaign is accompanied by a rich programme of free public events, including author talks, readings, musical performances, historical walking tours, film screenings, and workshops. These activities activate spaces across the city – from libraries and schools to community centres and public parks – offering residents multiple ways to engage with literature and one another. 

This multidimensional festival model not only supports literary appreciation, but reinforces social cohesion, strengthens civic pride, and ensures culture is embedded in everyday urban life. It has become a cultural infrastructure programme as much as a literary one, offering a scalable model for city-led participation. 

A replicable model for inclusive cultural policy 

The programme demonstrates how literature can be used as a low-barrier entry point into cultural life, supported by strong institutional partnerships and community co-creation. Its consistency, broad appeal, and local focus have made it an enduring success. 

As cities across Europe seek new ways to engage diverse publics and use culture to build connection, One Dublin, One Book stands as an adaptable, community-led model for inclusive and sustainable cultural participation. 

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