Conversations began in 2010 between the National Library of Ireland and UCD around a creative alliance between two unique assets – the NLI’s Joyce collections and UCD’s most significant historic property, Newman House.

A working group was established in 2012, and an exceptionally generous donation from Martin and Carmel Naughton propelled the idea to reality. Architects Scott Tallon Walker and exhibition designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates were engaged to transform Newman House’s Aula Maxima building into a 10,000ft2 exhibition space, while creating universal access across all the buildings of the historic site where UCD itself was founded.

Further generous funding and strategic advice from Fáilte Ireland brought the project to construction stage – builders arrived on site in October 2017, and the Museum of Literature Ireland opened to the public on 21 September 2019.

In memoriam – Eliz Dunne died on June 25^th 2021. She was one of the driving forces behind the MoLI project and a wonderful colleague and friend. The creation of the museum owes much to her drive, enthusiasm and energetic commitment. May she rest in peace.