Oscar Wilde House
Oscar Wilde House
4
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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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Top ways to experience Oscar Wilde House and nearby attractions

The area
Address
How to get there
  • St. Stephen's Green • 10 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • Jule P
    Paris, France2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely amazing experience
    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 !!! :)
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 April 2024
  • MILOUW
    New York City, New York1,387 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Historic Oscar Wilde House
    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.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 August 2024
  • EFY
    Redwood City, California235 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Come if you are a fan
    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.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles29 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
9
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Jive Turkey
Sheffield, UK283 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
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
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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!
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.

MILOUW
New York City, NY1,387 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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, Ireland631 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 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.
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 !!! :)
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, CA235 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 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.
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, PA1,26,774 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

Z3Z
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
I went to the Oscar Wilde house and joined the 2pm tour. I learned so much and want to know more! This family was drama! On this amazingly well researched and presented tour, you will hear all about the drama, deaths, scandals, slander, affairs, fires, the big Dandy in America tour, and how massive fame has massive consequences.

Question: Can you recommend a historical biography of the family to further read and learn more? I’m hooked on this family’s dynamics...
Written 21 September 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.

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OSCAR WILDE HOUSE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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