Dublin, 25th August 2025 The Dublin Festival of History 2025 was unveiled by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, earlier today in the Huguenot Cemetery Dublin. This year’s festival offers an exciting programme of over 250 free events, taking place from 26th September to 12th October at various venues across Dublin with the Big Weekend in the Round Room at the Mansion House, from Saturday 27th September to Sunday 28th September.
The Dublin Festival of History aims to highlight fresh perspectives on history and its importance in our everyday lives. This year’s festival has attracted best-selling Irish and international historians to Dublin for a high-profile programme of history and debate.
The festival opens with The Big Weekend at the Mansion House — a packed two-day programme of talks, debates and panel discussions. Highlights include Iain MacGregor’s The Hiroshima Men, a gripping exploration of the individuals behind the creation and deployment of the first atomic bomb, placing survivors’ testimonies and personal stories to the forefront; Kate Vigurs’ Mission Europe: The Secret History of the Women of Special Operations Executive, which shines a spotlight on the extraordinary women who risked everything behind enemy lines, and Roger Moorhouse’s Wolfpack: Hitler’s U-boat War 1939–44, a thrilling reconstruction of life aboard the German submarines of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Also featured are Jane Draycott’s Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome, bringing to life one of antiquity’s most remarkable women; Sam Dalrymple’s Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia, a compelling retelling of how borders were drawn across the subcontinent with lasting consequences, and Great Irish Wives, in which Nicola Pierce shines a spotlight on ten wives who were instrumental in their famous husbands’ success, including Matilda Tone, Mary O’Connell, George Yeats and Beatrice Behan.
With lots more events across the weekend, The Big Weekend promises an unmissable start to the festival.
Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor Cllr Ray McAdam said “The Dublin Festival of History is a celebration of the shared love for history. Dublin has been shaped by the events, places and people of its past and this festival helps brings those stories to life over the course of the festival. Dubliners and visitors alike have a great opportunity to take in the wonderful history of our capital city.”
Brendan Teeling, Deputy City Librarian, said “Dublin Festival of History is a fantastic festival that showcases the depth of stories from the capital and internationally. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience history that Dubliners would not have previously known, to brush up on historical favourites and to delve deep into topics that are not widely spoken about.”
Also speaing at the launch, Iseult Dunne, CEO of Dublin City Council Culture Company said, “The Culture Company is delighted to partner with Dublin City Libraries to create so many opportunities for people to take part in culture, heritage and stories of history. With events in every corner of the city, in libraries, community centres, civic spaces, and on our streets, we hope that everyone can find something that is engaging and enjoyable for them.”
The Dublin Festival of History is an annual free festival, brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with the Dublin City Council Culture Company.
All the events are free, but it is highly recommended that people book for any session they are interested in to secure their place. To see the complete list of events please visit: https://dublinfestivalofhistory.ie/events/. Booking opens 10am Tuesday, 26th August.
PRESS RELEASE CREDIT; Limelight Communications
