The International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) 2025 is set to make a dynamic return to Merrion Square Park this May, bringing with it a bold and diverse programme that highlights the finest in Irish and international literary talent. With a strong emphasis on queer voices, identity, and innovation, this year’s festival promises an unmissable blend of powerful storytelling, radical conversation, and joyful celebration.
Among the standout events is The Meaning of Love on Sunday, May 18, when acclaimed author and journalist Shon Faye will discuss her new work, Love in Exile. A searing exploration of love, gender, and exclusion, Faye reflects on the complexities of intimacy and identity as a trans woman navigating societal expectations.
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Earlier that day, Tobi Lakmaker takes the stage with The History of My Sexuality, a witty and moving coming-of-age tale that delves into themes of loneliness, chaos, and self-discovery. The conversation promises to bring insight into the messy but meaningful journey of growing up queer in the modern world.
The festival also looks to the future with The Edges, Translation and AI on Tuesday, May 20. Writer Angelo Tijssens and translator Michele Hutchison will explore the tensions and possibilities at the intersection of artificial intelligence, literary translation, and cultural nuance.
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On Sunday, May 25, French author Constance Debré will join journalist Una Mullally to explore Name, the concluding volume of her acclaimed trilogy. A fierce and uncompromising meditation on identity and legacy, Debré’s work dares to name what often remains unspoken in literature and life.
For those seeking a more interactive experience, Drag & Draw with DJ Set on Saturday, May 17, invites attendees to blend creativity and performance in an art class meets drag show, capped with a high-energy DJ set from Vicky Voltz. Meanwhile, the Walking Dublin’s Queer Literary History Tour offers a unique chance to uncover the hidden queer stories woven into the city’s streets.
From live Gaeilge storytelling with Beo Ar Éigean to the foot-stomping, genre-defying Seisiún Mór Traidisiúnta on May 25, this year’s ILFD is a rich celebration of literature in all its forms—unapologetically queer, unapologetically Irish, and brilliantly bold.
Whether you’re drawn by intimate conversations, exciting new voices, or vibrant cultural showcases, the 2025 International Literature Festival Dublin offers something for every curious mind. This May, step into Merrion Square and be part of a festival that celebrates the power of stories to challenge, connect, and inspire.
© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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