An illustrated talk by Dr Brendan Twomey, TCD, on the 300th anniversary of the publication, in 1726 of Jonathan Swift’s 'Gulliver’s Travels'

Gulliver's Travels was first published in October 1726, 300 years ago. It purports to be a straightforward travelogue or memoir, though in reality the story is a savage comic satire on big themes in politics, religion, war, colonialism and the law, and also on human hubris and perversity. It was an instant best seller and it has remained so ever since. Gulliver’s Travels has given us new words such as Lilliput and Yahoo and it has sold more copies than any other book written by an Irish author. This talk will set the comic and the big themes of Gulliver's Travels in the context of the life and times of its author 'Dr Jonathan Swift' and it will highlight its continuing relevance for our world.

Dr Brendan Twomey is a retired banker. He completed his PhD in TCD in 2018 on the subject of Personal Financial Management in early 18th-century Ireland. His research interests include the financial system of 18th-century Ireland, the management of Dublin city in that period, and the financial and legal affairs of Jonathan Swift. He has published widely on these topics.

This illustrated lecture is presented by the OPW as part of the 2026 Cultural Programme at Rathfarnham Castle. Doors open at 3pm and the presentation runs from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Image (l): Gulliver tied up by the Lilliputians, from 'Gulliver’s Travels: Coloured Picture Book for the Nursery', Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1883

Image (r): Jonathan Swift by Charles Jervas (c.1718), National Portrait Gallery, London

Description supplied by the event organiser.