- The Dublin as Destination talk takes place at Ballyfermot Library on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 18:30.
- Historian in Residence Katie Blackwood presents the talk exploring Dublin’s evolution as a tourist hub.
- The presentation charts early tourism in the 1800s through to mid-twentieth-century state-sponsored initiatives.
- Admission is free, but registration is recommended through the Dublin City Libraries Events Platform or by email.
- Ballyfermot Library features free parking, accessible entrances, parking spaces and restroom facilities with handrails.
A Dublin Festival of History event titled “Dublin as Destination: A History of Tourism in the City” is taking place at Ballyfermot Library on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 18:30. Historian in Residence Katie Blackwood is presenting a historical presentation exploring Dublin’s evolution as a tourist hub. The talk charts early tourism in the 1800s through to mid-twentieth-century state-sponsored initiatives and examines how Irish culture and identity were packaged through guidebooks and travelogues.
The event runs from 18:30 to 19:30 at Ballyfermot Library on Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10 (D10 WV02). Admission is free, but registration is recommended to secure a place. Attendees can reserve a ticket online through the Dublin City Libraries Events Platform or by emailing the branch directly at ballyfermotlibrary@dublincity.ie. The library features a free parking lot and fully accessible entrances, parking spaces and restroom facilities equipped with handrails. An assistive hearing loop system is available for attendees who require it.
Blackwood examined how Irish identity and culture were packaged through guidebooks and travelogues from the 1800s to the mid-twentieth century. The presentation looked at state-sponsored travel initiatives and the timeline from early 19th-century tourism up to mid-20th-century developments. The talk formed part of the Dublin Festival of History programme.
Katie Blackwood, Historian in Residence, shared: “This talk explores how Dublin evolved into a major tourist hub. It charts the timeline from early 19th-century tourism up to mid-20th-century state-sponsored travel initiatives, looking at how Irish identity and culture have been packaged through guidebooks and travelogues.”
