The International Literature Festival Dublin, the country’s premier literary event, returns to a variety of venues around the capital this May.

The International Literature Festival Dublin, founded in 1998, is renowned for its ability to attract the finest writers in the world to debate, provoke, delight and enthral.

Described as ‘boasting a stunning array of top international literary talent’ and ‘the country’s most successful and easily the best annual literary event’, the line-up for the 2016 edition of the International Literature Festival Dublin is sure to impress.

Among the highlights this year we have:

Old City, New Words – the ILF Dublin spills out into the streets of Temple Bar in this new initiative. Over the nine days of the festival, a host of local businesses will be celebrating all things books-related with a wide range of events, from window displays to bike tours, poetry readings, book signings and even a human library!

Flann O’Brien Bike Tour with Karl Whitney, presented in association with the Lazy Bike Tour, taking place at 12:30pm on Saturday, 21st May. Tickets €25. Event marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the great Flann O’Brien.

Humans of Dublin: The Library on Sunday 22nd & Sunday 29th May (2-4pm) – Not all libraries consist of books, so during the festival, a ‘human library’ of extraordinary people will gather at Tamp & Stitch, ready to tell their amazing stories. Why not ‘borrow’ one and enjoy a glimpse of another person’s world? Admission – free.

Poetry Ireland Review: the Rising Generation at 12pm on Saturday, 21st May at Smock Alley Theatre. Tickets cost €10 / €8. Poetry Ireland Review has championed the work of both established and emerging Irish poets for the last 35 years. In its new issue, ‘The Rising Generation’, released 100 years after the poets’ revolution that helped found the Republic, it focuses on work by 36 of the most exciting new voices, offering a tantalising glimpse of what we can expect from Irish poetry in the near future.

Bressie – a leading advocate for mental health in Ireland, Niall Breslin talks about his struggle with anxiety, panic attacks and self-harm, and why men generally find it so hard to ask for help. The event will be chaired by writer and journalist Roisin Ingle. Smock Alley Theatre at 6pm on Monday, 23rd May. Tickets €10 / €8.

The full programme for the 2016 International Literature Festival Dublin is available on the festival website, where you can also book tickets for individual events.

Come celebrate the joys of literature in the City of Words this May!