An Extraordinary Bram Stoker Discovery (Worldwide Exclusive)
- Saturday 26 October 1:00pm
- Pillar Room
- €18 + €1 booking fee
literary
stoker-in-depth
talks
Earlier this year, Dublin City Council Bram Stoker Festival was approached by Brian Cleary, a lifelong Stoker enthusiast, about a discovery of major literary and historical significance relating to Bram Stoker that he had unearthed.
We, along with historians, archivists and Stoker biographers were stunned and thrilled by his once-in-a-lifetime finding.
During this year’s festival, we will host a public event in the Pillar Room at the Rotunda Hospital with Miriam O’Callaghan interviewing Brian Cleary, Paul Murray (Stoker’s pre-eminent biographer) and visual artist Paul McKinley about Brian’s incredible find, the fascinating and heartwarming story behind it, and what it means for the legacy of Bram Stoker. The event will include a very, very special unveiling – that’s all we can say for now!
Brian made this discovery as a result of his personal experience of sudden hearing loss. The Rotunda Foundation, a charity associated with the Rotunda Hospital where Brian works, agreed to collaborate to bring this discovery to the world while raising awareness and funds for deafness-related research. We are honoured to partner with Brian and the Rotunda Foundation to share his discovery, which will have global interest and impact.
Currently, there are only a handful of people who know the full details of Brian’s incredible find. In mid-October all will be revealed to the world – we will post updates here and on our social accounts as soon as the discovery is made public.
This thrilling discovery forms the central component of a new, limited edition book (published by the Rotunda Foundation) which will be launched and available to purchase at this event. All funds raised by book sales will go directly to the newly formed Charlotte Stoker Fund administered by the Rotunda Foundation and named in memory of Bram Stoker’s mother, an outspoken social justice campaigner and an early advocate for the education of deaf children. The fund will enable research on preventable deafness in vulnerable newborn babies.
In addition to the event, an exhibition of new works relating to the discovery, by visual artist Paul McKinley, will be held at the Casino in Marino, from 3 October to 6 November.
| Duration | 90 mins |
|---|---|
| Doors | 12.15pm |
| Age Suitability | 12+ (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult). |
| Latecomers | Latecomers will be admitted. |
| Accessibility | Venue is wheelchair accessible. The accessible toilet is located on the same level as the performance space. This event will have ISL interpretation. More info |
Pillar Room, The Rotunda Foundation, Parnell Street, Rotunda, Dublin, Ireland
Luas
The closest Luas stops are on O’Connell Street and Parnell on the Green Line, and Abbey Street on the Red Line.
Bus
A number of Dublin Bus routes serve this area. The closest Dublin Bus route stops are:
Stop 2, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 38, 38A, 38B, 46A, 46E
Stop 3, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 120, 122
Stop 4, Parnell Square West, Northbound, 7, 7A, 7B, 7D, 7E, 9
Stop 6, Parnell Square West, Northbound, 4, 155
Stop 7, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 13, 40, 40B, 40D, 140
Stop 8, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 16
Stop 10, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 1, 11, 44
Stop 4726, Parnell Square North, Northbound: 46E
Stop 261, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 11, 13, 40, 116
Stop 262, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 16
Stop 263, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 9, 120, 122
Stop 264, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 46A, 140, 155
Stop 265, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 1, 38, 38A, 38B, 44
Stop 6071, Parnell Street, Eastbound: 40B, 40D, 120
Stop 6004, Parnell Street, Westbound: 40B, 40D, 120
DART
If travelling by DART, the nearest stations are Tara Street and Connolly.
Accessibility Information
Ticketing
This is a ticketed event. Wheelchair accessible and hearing impaired tickets are available at the time.
Arrival
Parnell Square is on an incline, with the top of the hill located on Parnell Square North, close to the Hugh Lane Gallery, and the bottom of the hill located on Parnell Square North, where the Ambassador Theatre is. The Square itself is paved with smooth flagstones, but please note that Luas tracks run across the pedestrian crossings on O’Connell Street and Parnell Street.
The closest Luas stops are on O’Connell Street (240m walk) and Parnell (270m walk) on the Green Line, and Abbey Street on the Red Line (750m walk).
A number of Dublin Bus routes serve this area. The closest Dublin Bus route stops are:
Stop 2, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 38, 38A, 38B, 46A, 46E
Stop 3, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 120, 122
Stop 4, Parnell Square West, Northbound, 7, 7A, 7B, 7D, 7E, 9
Stop 6, Parnell Square West, Northbound, 4, 155
Stop 7, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 13, 40, 40B, 40D, 140
Stop 8, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 16
Stop 10, Parnell Square West, Northbound: 1, 11, 44
Stop 4726, Parnell Square North, Northbound: 46E
Stop 261, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 11, 13, 40, 116
Stop 262, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 16
Stop 263, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 9, 120, 122
Stop 264, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 46A, 140, 155
Stop 265, Parnell Square East, Southbound: 1, 38, 38A, 38B, 44
Stop 6071, Parnell Street, Eastbound: 40B, 40D, 120
Stop 6004, Parnell Street, Westbound: 40B, 40D, 120
If travelling by DART, the nearest stations are Tara Street and Connolly. Both are approximately 1.2km away.
Nearest accessible on-street parking is available Parnell Square West and Parnell Square North, but please note that this is an in-demand area.
Accessible parking is also available in the Rotunda Car Park. The entrance to the car park is on Parnell Square West, and a fee of €8 is to be paid upon exit at the automatic barrier. A limited number of accessible parking spots are available in a smaller car park directly outside the Pillar Room, and these spots will be prioritised for people with access requirements. The entrance to this car park is on Parnell Square West, and you must request a space in advance of the event.
Parking is also available at the Spire Q-Park, which is 450m away, and at the Park Rite Parnell car park, which is 750m away from the venue.
Drop off and pick up is permitted via Parnell Square West and Parnell Square East. Guests will have to walk through the Rotunda Hospital via Parnell Square West, but cars and taxis are allowed to drop right to the door of the Pillar Room via Parnell Square East.
Entry
Entry to The Pillar Room is via an electric gate beside the Gate Theatre on Parnell Square East. The gate will be staffed by volunteers on the day of the event. The pedestrian gate has one step down to it, so wheelchair users are advised to use the gate for cars. There is a steep slope immediately inside the gate, which eases gradually, and after that there is a lowered kerb that will allow wheelchair users to access the path.
There is step-free access to the lobby of the Pillar Room. To access the performance space, two external ramps with a long gradient lead to double emergency doors. Staff and volunteers will be available to direct guests in the right direction.
Space
The Pillar Room has three different levels. The ground floor is step free, the lower level is accessed by steps and ramps and the first floor is accessible by steps. There is no lift.
Ground floor: Lobby, reception, ladies toilet
Lower level: Pillar Room, gents, ladies and accessible toilets, Oval Room
Accessible Bathroom / WC
The accessible bathroom is on the same level as the performance space. It is located in the same hallway as the ladies and gents. It is fitted with handrails and a lowered sink.
Bar
There will be no bar at this event.
Performance Space
A small stage will be set up for the speakers and rows of moveable chairs will be arranged to face it. Aisles will separate the chairs into sections so that there is a clear space for people to move though the venue. People with access requirements will get priority over front row seats and chairs closest to the aisle. Spaces will be cleared for wheelchair users.
Seating
Moveable chairs with no arms rests will be provided for guests.
Sound
A PA system will be used in the performance space for all panellists and speakers.
Lighting
Throughout the venue, there will be brighter lights with some darkened areas due to atmospheric lighting. The bathrooms have bright lights. No strobe lighting will be used.
Quieter Room
There is no designated quiet room in the Pillar Room.