Book in a Bag returns to Goethe-Institut Irland as part of Culture Night 2026.

A few hundred green and orange bags will be placed around 37 Merrion Square, throughout the Georgian building which houses the library, and around the modern building dedicated to the Language Department. The bags contain gems from different genres: the free treasures could be a great story, poems, an audio book, a music CD, a history book or a book on art.

After they have picked their bag, Culture Night visitors can browse the shelves of the Goethe-Institut Irland’s library. This beautiful space with a spectacular ceiling and cosy seating is open to the public and offers a wide range of media in German or English translation – including a corner just for kids and young adults. On Culture Night, visitors can apply for their free library card and borrow language learning material, movies, books, and more.

This event is part of the European Culture Trail – a EUNIC Ireland (European Union National Institutes for Culture) in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Ireland. For those visiting European Culture Trail events in person, download the passport here. You can win some wonderful prizes!