An unmissable summer experience for a limited seven week run
Trinity College Dublin, recently named Europe’s Leading Academic Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards, is delighted to announce a landmark new visitor experience: Trinity Trails Literary Walking Tour, followed by a live theatre performance of Oscar Wilde at the Samuel Beckett Theatre on campus. Available to book now as a combined ticket, the show opens on Wednesday 10 June 2026 for a limited seven week run.
The Literary Walking Tour joins the established and highly popular Trinity Trails offerings, the official guided tours of Trinity College Dublin led by expert student tour guides. Visitors can choose from the original Trinity Trails Best Of Walking Tour, or the new Trinity Trails Literary Walking Tour. The new Literary focused tour will welcome visitors to follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest literary writers and world-famous Trinity alumni, from Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett to Bram Stoker, Eavan Boland and Sally Rooney. Visitors will pass by the historic buildings, squares, and hidden corners across the spectacular city centre ancient University that shaped and influenced the authors’ work as Trinity students.
The Trinity Trails Literary Walking Tour begins at the Campanile in Front Square and takes in highlights across the campus, including the Graduate Memorial Building, home to Trinity’s legendary debating societies whose members included Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, and Oscar Wilde. The two enjoyed a close friendship during their academic years, until Wilde learned of the engagement of his former girlfriend Florence Balcombe to his College friend Stoker.
Visitors will see the Rubrics, the College’s oldest surviving building and a filming location for the television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People. The beautiful red brick façade was the on-screen location where Connell and Marianne, the two main characters, reunited when they came to study at Trinity. Opposite is the Eavan Boland Library, named after one of the foremost women in Irish literary history who was influential in changing how Irish women and Irish identity were perceived in Irish literature. The Boland Library neighbours the Old Library, home to Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure, the Book of Kells, and the Long Room, one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. The Long Room also houses a sculpture of Gulliver’s Travels author Jonathan Swift – Swift attended Trinity in 1682 at the age of only 14.
The Trinity Trails Literary Walking Tour concludes at the Samuel Beckett Theatre, where the live Oscar Wilde Show begins. The Theatre is home to Trinity’s School of Creative Arts and is named after Beckett, one of Ireland’s best known playwrights, and a Trinity student in the late 1920s.
The Oscar Wilde Show, named Oscar Unwritten, is a compelling 60 minute play that explores the life of Oscar Wilde through the eyes of one of his best friends, Robbie Ross. As Ross wrestles with the question of whether to write a full account of Wilde’s extraordinary and turbulent life, memory and imagination blur, and the past comes vividly to life around him. Figures from Wilde’s world appear alongside the characters that made him famous, tracing his journey from dazzling celebrity to devastating downfall.
Drew Duggan, Head of Tourism at Trinity College Dublin, said: “Trinity has always been renowned for literary greats. Some of our world famous alumni – Wilde, Beckett, Stoker, Boland, Rooney – are names that have shaped global literature, and we are incredibly excited to bring those stories to life here on campus in a way that has never been done before. The Trinity Trails Literary Walking Tour combined with the Oscar Wilde Theatre Show is a truly unique cultural experience, and one that we believe will resonate with visitors from all over the world.”
Tim Scott, Director of the Samuel Beckett Theatre, said: “Trinity boasts giants of the theatre world among its impressive catalogue of theatre practitioners; Oscar Wilde, a globally recognised name in both theatre and literature, and Samuel Beckett, a genius twentieth century novelist and playwright. We’re excited to bring Oscar Wilde to the Beckett Theatre in our new play, Oscar Unwritten, which tells Wilde’s story from Trinity student to literary genius. Directed by renowned Beckett director Sarah Jane Scaife, this impressive show from a stellar cast and creative team is not to be missed.”
The Trinity Trails Literary Walking Tour and Oscar Wilde Theatre Show launches on Wednesday 10 June 2026 for a limited seven week summer run, with performances running Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets are available to book now at www.visittrinity.ie.
Every visit counts. Revenue from ticket sales is invested back into Trinity College Dublin to support the academic mission of the University and fund development, research and conservation programmes.
About Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1592 Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s oldest university, and home to its greatest cultural treasure, the Book of Kells. A precious 9th century manuscript, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament, the Book is on display as part of the Book of Kells Experience. Trinity Trails are the official guided walking tours of the 47 acre city centre campus, led by expert student and alumni guides. Departing from the Bell Tower in Front Square, visitors enjoy a 45-minute trail, exploring and discovering Trinity’s hidden gems. During Summer months, visitors can also experience a unique opportunity to staywithin the walls of the historic 16th century campus. Guestrooms are available to book from May-August. Take home a memory of Trinity with the exquisite range of gifts, home, craft, jewellery and clothing inspired by the University in the official Trinity Gift Shop. The curated selection has been created to capture the history and heritage of the iconic campus. For more information and bookings, visit: www.visittrinity.ie
About the Samuel Beckett Theatre
Opened in 1992 to mark the 400th anniversary of Trinity College Dublin, the Samuel Beckett Theatre is one of the city’s most distinctive cultural hubs. Named after leading twentieth century playwright Samuel Beckett, it occupies a unique position as both a university venue and a professional, public facing theatre. A constituent part of the School of Creative Arts, it is a key space of interdisciplinary cross-pollination, and a vital point of confluence between emerging and established artists. It is committed to the nurture of artists at all points in their careers. Ideally located in the heart of Dublin, within Trinity’s historic campus, the Beckett Theatre stands as the last remaining theatre on a street once defined by its rich theatrical life. Today, it continues that legacy through a year round programme of self produced work, student productions, research led performance work, and work by leading Irish and international arts organisations. Artistic innovation and public engagement are key priorities for the theatre as it seeks to further develop its position as a centre of excellence in the Creative Arts in Ireland.
