Oscar Wilde House
Oscar Wilde House
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Since its development in the 18th Century, Merrion Square was Dublin's most fashionable neighbourhood. It should come as no surprise, then, that its premiere residence, No. 1, would attract the larger than life Wilde family. Sir William Wilde, father of Oscar Wilde, ran his private eye and ear medical clinic out of this house, in rooms adjacent to the dining room. His wife, Lady Jane hosted her famous salons in the drawing room with its glorious views of Merrion Square's gardens. Oscar Wilde grew up in this building, his residence for almost half of his life, undergoing the creative development that would see him emerge as one of the leading writers of late nineteenth century. Visit the house in which Oscar grew up, learn about the development of the square and the house, and experience the stories and intrigues of the Wilde family.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
How to get there
- St. Stephen's Green • 10 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- Jule PParis, France2 contributionsAbsolutely amazing experienceIf you have time, definitely do the guided tour. I studied Wilde for years, and I learned more in this house and 2 hours tour than years of literature studies. The guide is so passionate and interesting, and learning about the Wilde family while being in such a historic place is absolutely amazing. Would a 100% recommend, even if you're not a literature nerd. gives you an amazing perspective on the Dublin from this period and on the character of Oscar Wilde. Would definitely do it again !!! :)Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 April 2024
- MILOUWNew York City, New York1,416 contributionsHistoric Oscar Wilde HouseOne can visit the large house where Oscar Wilde spent his early years. It is now occupied by the American College in Dublin and a number of rooms have been converted to classrooms. The tour starts with an informative video recounting the life and tribulations of Oscar Wide.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 August 2024
- EFYRedwood City, California249 contributionsCome if you are a fanIt was an interesting pilgrimage for Oscar Wilde fans. If you are visiting his statue across the street in the park, and you are a fan, do come into the house. The introductory video did a good job retelling his life. The rooms themselves were ok since they were mostly empty of furniture. Two rooms were packed with writing tablet chairs. It kind of ruined the feel of the place a bit.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
30 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Jive Turkey
Sheffield, UK296 contributions
Feb 2020
Caught the bus to the house for the 11am tour. The internet clearly states that there are 2 tours per day; one at 11am and one at 2pm. The only reason we knew that we could enter the building was because we saw some people entering. Turned out it was students, though, as the building is used as an American college. There was nobody around to help us but we eventually found someone. It is not an organised event at all. It is just one person who shows people round...if he is there, that is. Sadly for us, he wasn't and nobody else could assist. Not sure why this is advertised as a tourist attraction as it clearly isn't and it is just good timing if you strike lucky on a given day. Shame, so much more could be made of this. I am in shock that a man as prolific as O.W does not get the visitation he deserves...but, then again, if nothing is made of him then tourists are not going to visit, are they. You can, however, step across the road in to the little park and see some memorabilia dedicated to O.W. - a consolation.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salomon H
11 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
As a museum, this is a big disappointment. Yes, Oscar Wilde lived here as a child but there is not much left to see from that time. In fact there is not much to see at all except bare rooms where the paint is peeling from the walls and ceiling. The museum doesn't tell you very much about Oscar either, all the more about his parents. The entrance fee is said to go to the house restoration fund, so in that way visiting the museum can be a charity. But the restoration supposedly started in the mid-90s and still it doesn't look like much has happened. If you're a hardcore fan of Oscar you'll probably want to visit the house regardless, but otherwise there are better ways to get to know Oscar Wilde. If you really want to go, make sure to take a guided tour. Then you might get a little more out of the visit.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lady M
23 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Loved it! Me and my friend had fun taking pictures in every mirror, in the library and by the huge picture of Oscar Wilde at the stairs.
It’s genuinely interesting and informative, as well, and it has a lot of memorabilia of the Wilde family.
The stuff there was very friendly!
It’s genuinely interesting and informative, as well, and it has a lot of memorabilia of the Wilde family.
The stuff there was very friendly!
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
motorcar1
Dublin, Ireland14,663 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Oscar Wilde’s childhood home is now home to the American College. Self guided tours are available every day €12.00 per person. They have a guided tour on a Saturday. It is a great way to learn about Oscar Wilde whose poems and plays were popular during his short lifetime. He lived and died petty much penniless in Paris after his release from prison in the UK for what was considered criminal acts at the time.
Written 14 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MILOUW
New York City, NY1,416 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
One can visit the large house where Oscar Wilde spent his early years.
It is now occupied by the American College in Dublin and a number of rooms have been converted to classrooms.
The tour starts with an informative video recounting the life and tribulations of Oscar Wide.
It is now occupied by the American College in Dublin and a number of rooms have been converted to classrooms.
The tour starts with an informative video recounting the life and tribulations of Oscar Wide.
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rustydancer
Enniscorthy, Ireland672 contributions
June 2022 • Friends
Excellent tour guide who was passionate about the Wilde family, William and Jane, the parents, their lives, work and how they valued education. A truly inspirational family. Our guide had knowledge of Oscar that few knew about. When I asked him did he do his thesis at college on Oscar Wilde, he smiled and said yes.
It’s a marvellous experience to listen to an eloquent speaker. We watched a short video downstairs and our guide led us upstairs to a glorious sunny room where Jane held her soirées and we sat and listened to every word.
It’s a marvellous experience to listen to an eloquent speaker. We watched a short video downstairs and our guide led us upstairs to a glorious sunny room where Jane held her soirées and we sat and listened to every word.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jule P
Paris, France2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
If you have time, definitely do the guided tour. I studied Wilde for years, and I learned more in this house and 2 hours tour than years of literature studies. The guide is so passionate and interesting, and learning about the Wilde family while being in such a historic place is absolutely amazing. Would a 100% recommend, even if you're not a literature nerd.
gives you an amazing perspective on the Dublin from this period and on the character of Oscar Wilde.
Would definitely do it again !!! :)
gives you an amazing perspective on the Dublin from this period and on the character of Oscar Wilde.
Would definitely do it again !!! :)
Written 16 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EFY
Redwood City, CA249 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
It was an interesting pilgrimage for Oscar Wilde fans. If you are visiting his statue across the street in the park, and you are a fan, do come into the house.
The introductory video did a good job retelling his life. The rooms themselves were ok since they were mostly empty of furniture. Two rooms were packed with writing tablet chairs. It kind of ruined the feel of the place a bit.
The introductory video did a good job retelling his life. The rooms themselves were ok since they were mostly empty of furniture. Two rooms were packed with writing tablet chairs. It kind of ruined the feel of the place a bit.
Written 27 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alison m
19 contributions
July 2023 • Solo
I enjoyed the visit to the house, for sure a guided tour would have brought the building to life more, but,
even so it was well worth it.
The introduction given on the video gave me new insight into the writer's early life, including some tragic events which must have left a mark on him.
The house is maintained extremely well. For all Wilde fans I would highly recommend.
even so it was well worth it.
The introduction given on the video gave me new insight into the writer's early life, including some tragic events which must have left a mark on him.
The house is maintained extremely well. For all Wilde fans I would highly recommend.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🥳 🎉 🥳 Keep Life Simple 🥳🎉🥳
Pittsburgh, PA129,404 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
This was a really nice tour if into visiting homes of famous people. If not into famous people's homes, I would pass on it. I did think it was excellent marketing putting a small plaque pointing to his home from the Oscar Wilde statue in the park.
Written 5 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, I'd like to know if the tours round Oscar Wilde's house are done according to a specific schedule or depending of the number of visitors coming round.
Thanks for the details.
Ph. G. /France
Written 31 August 2019
Hi Phillippea,
During the month of September, the Wilde house is running twice-daily tours, Monday to Thursday at 9 am and 2 pm. On Fridays the afternoon tour is at a slightly different time to allow working Dubliners to attend at lunchtime, it will take place at 1 pm. All tours last one hour. We are, at present, working on our Autumn schedule, which may include some weekends and evening tours. We will post these on Expedia when we have finalised our programme. Thank you for the query.
Warm regards,
James
Written 2 September 2019
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