One Dublin One Book Wrap Up

A collage of event photos including a walking tour, John Banville at a screening in the IFI, a photo of John Banville and Donal Fallon in the Pepper Canister and a discussion with John Banville, Martina Devlin, John MacKenna and Emily Hourican at City Assembly House

As another year of One Dublin One Book has come to and end, lets look back on this year's programme. This year’s chosen title was Christine Falls by John Banville, a crime fiction novel set in Dublin in the 1950s, and became the most borrowed title in libraries nationwide with 1,626 loans from February to May!

Events

A collage of event photos including Fintan O'Toole and Catriona Crowe at the Lexicon. Gill Perdue hosting a writing workshop in Tallaght Library, Belinda McKeon and John Banville on stage at RIAM, Banville at a screening at the IFI, the crowd at our walking tour and Ruth Griffin and Deirdre Mcquillan, who spoke at our 1950s fashion event in Collins Barracks

This year's programme included 21 events and had over 1,500 attendees! Readers came together in libraries, cultural venues and public spaces across Dublin, for events inspired by the book and its themes. Some highlights included:

A screening of John Boorman's classic Point Blank, introduced by John Banville at the Irish Film Institute.
Workshops with bestselling authors Gill Perdue and Andrew Hughes with lots of tips and tricks on how to write Crime fiction.
Fintan O'Toole and Catriona Crowe's discussion on the social, historical and economic landscape of Ireland in the 1950s at the Lexicon.
A waking tour of Dublin by Dublin Decoded that traced the steps of Quirke, the protagonist of Christine Falls.
A talk on 1950s fashion by Ruth Griffin and Deirdre McQuillan that explored what we can learn about fictional characters through their clothing.
A Celebration event in the Royal Academy of Music that featured John Banville in conversation with Belinda McKeonand dramatic readings performed by actors Julie Coleman and Billy Lyons, along with music from the Michael Buckley Jazz Quintet
To acknowledge and celebrate the role of library book clubs in the success of One Dublin One Book, a special invite-only afternoon tea event was held in the Shelbourne Hotel. Tickets were allocated through a draw, with selected book clubs offered places for their members. Attendees took part in a specially designed Christine Falls quiz, drawing on the story and its setting.
Hear from book club members in the video below:

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We were also delighted to hear so much thoughtful feedback from attendees throughout the festival:

“

This years choice was excellent, I love seeing the city we live in through different eyes

The topics and speakers this year have been brilliant. It has been a highlight of 2026!

It has inspired me to read more and learn about and explore more culture in Dublin

If you missed any events or would like to revisit some favourite moments check out

A collage of copies of Christine Falls hidden around the city.

Share The Story

One Dublin One Book may be over for another year but the story doesn't have to end!

Throughout April Dublin City Libraries staff got creative, hiding copies of Christine Falls around the city in local businesses and community areas. There are still some to find, so If you see a copy, read it and leave it somewhere new for the next reader to enjoy!

What to Read Next

Did you know the Quirke series spans 10 books? If you enjoyed Christine Falls, why not continue on with the next book, The Silver Swan. Set two years after the events in Christine Falls, When a near-forgotten acquaintance asks Quirke to cover up his beautiful young wife's suspicious death.
Reserve it from your local library or download the eBook or eAudiobook on BorrowBox.