The Cathedral, Trinity College and Marsh’s Library

Undoubtedly, the Gothic St Patrick’s Cathedral played a pivotal role in Jonathan Swift’s life; he is buried there, with an epitaph of his own composition which reads: “Here lies the body of Jonathan Swift, Doctor of Sacred Theology, Dean of this Cathedral Church, where savage indignation can no longer tear his heart. Go forth, traveller, and imitate, if you can, this vigorous champion of manly liberty’ (Here lies the body of Jonathan Swift, Doctor of Sacred Theology, Dean of this Cathedral, where savage indignation can no longer tear his heart apart. Go forth, traveller, and imitate, if you can, this staunch champion of manly liberty). This 300th anniversary has also carved out a special place in the calendar of celebrations, as it will mark the premiere of the new musical entitled *And Then There Was Gulliver*, scheduled for Thursday 26 November, when its nave – which by day is flooded with light filtering through the stained-glass windows – will provide the backdrop to this spectacle, which promises to be truly phantasmagorical. In addition, there will be readings accompanied by organ performances by Stuart Nicholson, the Cathedral’s Master of Music. But, of course, the place in Dublin where the novel most clearly took shape can only be Trinity College, for it was at that university that Jonathan Swift first became acquainted with literature: in the legendary Long Room of the Old Library, brimming with knowledge, the writer is commemorated in the form of a marble bust sculpted by Louis François Roubiliac. It was therefore only fitting that the exhibition ‘Gulliver at 300’ should be hosted here – a journey back in time through the editions of the book held by Ireland’s pre-eminent university, accompanied by illustrations, adaptations and translations into numerous languages. It will also be a thrill to visit the nearby, 18th-century Marsh’s Library, considered Ireland’s oldest public library, where Swift would carve out moments for more intimate study and reading, taking volumes from oak shelves that have remained unchanged, just like the iron cages designed to protect them from theft. Swift, too, after a day spent poring over his laboured manuscripts, would treat himself to a beer: he was a regular at the historic Brazen Head pub, still located on Bridge Street. However, anyone in Dublin on 18 November might opt for the Rascals Brewing Company, as that evening will see the Craicademia: Gulliver Special, when renowned speakers will deliver a series of half-hour ‘Lilliputian lectures’ packed with witty, convivial and ironic conversation, all washed down with plenty of pints of beer.