Spooky Stories at Marsh’s Library
- Saturday 26 October 11:00am–4:30pm
- Marsh’s Library
- Free on a first come, first served basis
family-friendly
free
For over three centuries, Ireland’s oldest public library has stood in Saint Patrick’s Close, right on the edge of the Cathedral graveyard. Among its early readers was an 18-year-old Bram Stoker, who first visited Marsh’s Library on 4 July 1866. He would later return to study maps of Transylvania and texts about Vlad Dracul – we wonder why?!
Now, Marsh’s Library invites you to explore its darkened galleries, filled with books on witchcraft, martyrdom, and heresy on guided tours featuring tales of ghosts, skulls, and even an ancient mummy. Tours last approximately 20 minutes and run every 15 minutes throughout the day.
| Duration | Each tour will last 20 minutes. |
|---|---|
| Age Suitability | All ages (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult). |
| Accessibility | This event will not be suitable for wheelchair users. More info |
Marsh’s Library, St Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, Ireland
Luas
The closest Luas stop is on St. Stephen’s Green on the Green Line.
Bus
A number of Dublin Bus routes serve this area. The closest Dublin Bus route stops are:
Stop 2383, Patrick Street, Northbound – Bus numbers 27, 49, 54A, 56A, 74, 77A, 150, 151
Stop 2385, Patrick Street, Southbound – Bus numbers 49, 54A, 79
Accessibility Information
Ticketing
The tours of Marsh’s Library operate on a first come, first served basis.
Arrival
The pathways immediately around Marsh’s Library are paved with flagstones and some of the surfaces may be uneven.
The closest step-free Luas stop is on St. Stephen’s Green (800m walk) on the Green Line.
A number of Dublin Bus routes serve this area. The closest Dublin Bus route stops are:
Stop 2383, Patrick Street, Northbound – Bus numbers 27, 49, 54A, 56A, 74, 77A, 150, 151
Stop 2385, Patrick Street, Southbound – Bus numbers 49, 54A, 79
The nearest accessible parking is available in Q-Park Christchurch car park. Accessible parking bays are available on Golden Lane, close to the Radisson Blu hotel.
Drop off and pick up is available on Bull Alley Street and Cathedral Lane.
Entry
Marsh’s Library is accessed by 17 steps from the front gate to the main entrance, with a handrail located on the left hand side while ascending. From there, there are three steps without a handrail which leads to a staircase with 22 steps. A bannister runs up the left hand side while ascending. Guests exit the library via a spiral staircase of 17 steps, or the same way in which they came in.
As Marsh’s Library was built in the 17th Century it is a protected building. Wheelchair access is not available to the libraries, but there is a step-free entry point to the ground floor facilities, the shop and the garden available on request via the back entrance. This can be arranged by emailing information@marshlibrary.ie
Space
Marsh’s Library consists of two floors, with step-free access available to the ground level via the back entrance. The first floor is only accessible via steps.
Ground floor: Accessible toilet, shop, garden
First floor: First and Second library galleries, reading room, cages
Accessible Bathroom / WC
A wheelchair accessible toilet is provided on the ground floor.
Bar
There will be no bar at this event.
Performance Space
The Spooky Stories tours of Marsh’s Library take place throughout the venue, with each tour lasting 20 minutes. This space is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
Seating
There is a seating area on the ground floor.
Sound
No sound system will be used at this event.
Lighting
Soft lighting is used in the library galleries, but bright lighting will be used in the bathrooms and ground floor. No strobe lighting will be used.
Quieter Room
There is no designated quiet room in this venue, but there will be quieter spaces available outside of the event room.