This Modern Love

Walking Tour with Emma Gilleece Join architectural historian Emma Gilleece for a walking tour, inspired by her new book This Modern Love (New Island), during which you will explore a remarkable stretch of St Stephen’s Green where modern Ireland was shaped in glass and concrete. The tour examines key landmarks, from the Irish Free State’s first purpose-built government office and Sam Stephenson’s bold Department of Agriculture to Scott Tallon Walker’s elegant Miesian-style interventions. It concludes with the demolition of Andy Devane’s Stephen Court, reflecting on the rise, evolution and loss of Ireland’s twentieth-century architectural heritage. The meeting point for this walk will be in front of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 23 Kildare Street. Please note we may be capturing candid imagery at this event for use on our social media and website. Emma Gilleece is an architectural historian, specialising in early to mid-twentieth-century Ireland, which she writes about for RTÉ Culture. She grew up in the suburbs of Limerick City and today lives in north inner city Dublin with her partner and son. To hear first about future Dublin Book Festival events sign up to our newsletter here.