Sweny's Joycean Pharmacy, est. 1847, Dublin

Sweny’s Pharmacy is featured in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. Here, visitors are taken back in time to the Victorian and Edwardian ages. You can enjoy a cup of tea, listen to the old Irish songs, have a bit of a chat, participate in the daily Joyce readings, and, of course, pick up a bar of the lemon-scented soap that made the shop famous!

Today, Sweny’s is entirely maintained by volunteers who give their time for free, dedicated to preserving the shop as it was in Joyce’s time. We do it for love. We not only keep our door open as one of the few surviving interiors from James Joyce's works, but also nurture an international community for the culture.



Up until this year, we have been able to cover our costs from soap sales and generous donations from visitors. Recently, however, the rental market in Dublin has gone bonkers. As a result, our rent has been doubled. Yes, doubled. With our tight budget and modest savings , we had to step out of our comfort zone and launch our first ever online fundraising page here. This is why we are asking you today to step out of your comfort zone too.

This is an opportunity for you to leave a real, positive mark on Irish culture and history. We individually recognise our patrons for their proactiveness and positive support. Your contribution will literally keep Sweny's alive by helping us pay the increased rent. You will become part of the great work we do in Dublin.

Thanks to your contribution to Sweny's, visitors from around the world will always have a place to go for a rich, authentic cultural experience in Ireland.



​For more videos, photos and craic, visit our ​F​acebook  and Twitter  pages as well as our website.

Go raibh maith agat!

PJ Murphy (on behalf of Sweny's volunteer team)
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(From our annual "Dead Dinner" on January 6th, based on James Joyce's short story "The Dead," with our volunteers dressed up in Edwardian gear to celebrate another year of love and peace.)