Brendan Lynch

Graftonia

A Very Literary Neighbourhood

"A splendid overview of literary Dublin... a city with perhaps a greater concentration of writers than any other on the planet."
- Senator David Norris.

"I will never view Graftonia in the same light again!" insisted author Lissa Oliver, after reading the first draft of Dublin's Graftonia. A Very Literary Neighbourhood.'

Literary history illuminates every corner of Grafton Street and environs, which Patrick Kavanagh christened Graftonia. It featured key movements and generations of writers from Jonathan Swift to George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien.

James Joyce made his print debut at 37 Stephen's Green. Oscar Wilde was first published at 116 Grafton Street. Best-selling novelist Samuel Lover, grandfather of songwriter Victor Herbert, was born at number 60. A chance meeting at number 116 between W B Yeats and former revolutionary John O'Leary ignited the Irish Literary Revival.

Foreword /  Lissa Oliver

Foreword

Brendan Lynch's Dublin's Graftonia was written in a fit of passion, straight from the heart.

It is totally engaging and easy to read with no hint of the huge number of research hours involved. In the wrong hands, it could have been just another dull history piece about literary Dublin.

Brendan's writing is so fresh and engaging, so of the moment, with humour, wonderful stories and, of course, educational nuggets snuck in so that reluctant scholars are learning while still being entertained!

Fascinating and, above all, so full of information and detail, two outstanding chapters in particular are those on James Joyce and Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival. I never knew that Joyce was first published in St. Stephen's Green, or that Wilde and Yeats first saw themselves in print in Grafton Street.

In addition to Patrick Kavanagh and Brendan Behan, I will think of their illustrious neighbours like Bram Stoker, Sheridan Le Fanu, Lady Morgan and many more the next time I trip down Grafton Street.

This book is an overdue tribute to the area's immense contribution to literary history, and a wonderful celebration of generations of world-famous writers and poets. I will never view Graftonia in the same light again!

Lissa Oliver Author
Irish Writers Centre Director

About the author /  Brendan Lynch

About the author

Brendan Lynch is a former racing cyclist and driver. A supporter of pacifist philosopher Bertrand Russell, he was imprisoned in London for 1960s Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament activities.

He has written ten books and contributed to national and international media from the Irish Times and Irish Independent to The Observer, The Times and The European.

A consultant for The Encyclopaedia of Ireland, Brendan's features on Irish writers encouraged the establishment of Dublin's George Bernard Shaw Museum and the James Joyce Cultural Centre.

Contact Brendan

News /   Events

News & Events

  • 2nd Feb 2024 Paris honour for Dublin author

    Brendan Lynch was invited to celebrate James Joyce's birthday (Feb 2) with the launch of his Dublin's Graftonia literary history at 12 rue de l'Odeon, Paris, where Joyce's Ulysses was first published in 1922.

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  • 16th Dec 2023 Irish Times review

    "The author seems to know his writers intimately, describing them with affection and humour."

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  • 15th Oct 2023 Irish Independant review

    "When the writer Brendan Lynch strolled down Grafton Street a couple of years ago, the “old ghosts” of Patrick Kavanagh’s poem On Raglan Road haunted his every footstep and he decided to make them the subject of his latest literary assignment."

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  • 9th Oct 2023 Launch

    An audience of over 70 attended the October 9 launch of Dublin's Graftonia at Dublin's United Arts Club.

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Review /  Yesterday We Were in America
"A cry of admiration for a thoroughly enjoyable book."
– John le Carre.
Review /  Prodigals & Geniuses
"Brendan Lynch's book evokes vibrant memories of an ancient Dublin."
– J. P. Donleavy.
Review /  There Might Be a Drop of Rain Yet
"This tender, thoughtful and beautifully written memoir."
– The Irish Times.
Review /  The Old Gunner and His Medals
"The concepts of bravery, loyalty, honesty and kindness, and indeed love, are all deftly explored."
– Irish Catholic.
Review /   Triumph of the Red Devil. The Irish Gordon Bennett Cup Race 1903
"Brendan Lynch brings us into the heart of that distant day's epic struggle."
– Sir Stirling Moss.

Further reading /  Books by Brendan Lynch

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© 2025 Brendan Lynch.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.