Celebrations as Dublin becomes the fourth city in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Literature.
Due to luminaries Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Sean O'Casey, for many people Dublin is synonymous with literature. At a ceremony held at the Grand Canal Theatre, this literary tradition is recognised by a UN cultural body. Dublin is declared a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) City of Literature. The city joins Edinburgh, Melbourne and Iowa City with the permanent title.
Among those celebrating the announcement is writer Joe O'Connor,
It's an acknowledgment of a literary history that by any standards is really remarkable.
He hopes the award will encourage younger and emerging writers.
Also present at the announcement is poet Thomas Kinsella. He welcomes the focus the designation puts on Dublin as a literary city.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin believes the designation is a welcome recognition of the city's vast literary wealth and will be a welcome boost for cultural tourism. She is confident the designation will bring literary tourism to Dublin.
We will certainly be using this to market Ireland.
Lord Mayor Gerry Breen wants all the cultural groups, official bodies and higher-education institutions to pull together to make the City of Literature work for Dublin.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 26 July 2010. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
