Dublin Festival of History Unveils 250 Free Events Celebrating Heritage

The **Dublin Festival of History** is set to showcase an impressive lineup of **250 free events** from **September 26 to October 12, 2025**, celebrating the city’s rich historical tapestry. This year’s festival will highlight significant themes, including the centenary of the **Irish Boundary Commission**, the legacy of **Daniel O’Connell**, and the stories of remarkable figures such as the women involved in the **Special Operations Executive** during World War II.

The festival culminates with the Big Weekend at the **Round Room in the Mansion House** on **September 27 and 28**. Among the featured speakers is **Cormac Moore**, who will discuss his book, *The Root of All Evil: The Irish Boundary Commission*. Moore’s work examines the impact of a leaked Boundary Commission report in **1925**, which dashed nationalist aspirations regarding Northern Ireland’s integration into the then Free State.

Another highlight is **Iain MacGregor**, whose presentation of *The Hiroshima Men* delves into the lives of those who contributed to the creation and deployment of the first atomic bomb. This narrative is enriched by survivor testimonies that bring personal dimensions to historical events.

**Kate Vigurs** will present *Mission Europe: The Secret History of the Women of Special Operations Executive*, shedding light on the extraordinary women who risked their lives behind enemy lines during the war. This will be complemented by **Roger Moorhouse’s** *Wolfpack: Hitler’s U-boat War 1939–44*, which reconstructs the harrowing experiences aboard German submarines during the Battle of the Atlantic.

The festival also features **Jane Draycott**, who will discuss *Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome*, bringing to life one of history’s most remarkable women. Additionally, **Sam Dalrymple** will present *Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia*, providing insight into the complex history of border delineation across the subcontinent.

In a unique presentation, author **Nicola Pierce** will explore the contributions of ten influential wives in her talk on **Great Irish Wives**. This includes notable figures such as **Matilda Tone**, **Mary O’Connell**, **Georgiana Yeats**, and **Beatrice Behan**, who played crucial roles in their husbands’ successes.

The **Lord Mayor of Dublin**, **Cllr Ray McAdam**, expressed that the festival reflects a “shared love for history,” emphasizing how Dublin’s past shapes its present. He stated, “This festival helps bring those stories to life over the course of the event. Dubliners and visitors alike have a great opportunity to take in the wonderful history of our capital city.”

**Brendan Teeling**, Deputy City Librarian, noted the festival as a “fantastic opportunity to experience history that Dubliners would not have previously known,” encouraging attendees to explore both familiar and less-discussed historical topics.

Organized by **Dublin City Libraries** in partnership with the **Dublin City Council Culture Company**, the festival is fully funded by **Dublin City Council**. All events are free; however, attendees are encouraged to book in advance to secure their spots. For a complete list of events and booking information, visit the official festival website at [dublinfestivalofhistory.ie/events](https://dublinfestivalofhistory.ie/events/). Booking opens at **10:00 AM** on **August 26, 2025**.