BRAM STOKER
 
                    Abraham 'Bram' Stoker (1847-1912) is best remembered as the author of
                 Dracula. Born in Marino Crescent in Clontarf, he studied at Trinity
                 College and became a civil servant, a job that he combined with that of
                 drama critic of The Evening Mail. From his interest in theatre sprang his
                 lifelong friendship with the actor Henry Irving. Stoker married Oscar
                 Wilde's former sweetheart Florence Balcombe in 1878 and moved with her
                 to London where he became business manager of Irving's Lyceum Theatre.
                 He supplemented his income by writing a large number of sensational
                 novels, his most famous being the vampire tale Dracula (1897), the
                 inspiration of countless films and plays. Other works include A Life of
                 Irving, The Snake's Pass which was set in Ireland and the Lair of the White
                 Worm which was filmed by Ken Russell.

                 This year represents three great anniversaries in the Stoker/Dracula world:

                      The 150th anniversary of Bram Stoker's birth
                      It is the centenary of the first publication of Stoker's masterpiece Dracula
                      It is the 75th anniversary of the original release of the first Dracula film - the classic
                      German version "Nosferantu".

                 DUBLIN WRITERS MUSEUM, 18 Parnell Square are hosting an exhibition.
The exhibition   will be based on a large collection of Stoker memorabilia which was kindly donated to the Museum by writer and folklorist, Leslie Shepard. Exhibits include: valuable first editions,pictures and original manuscripts letters.

                 The 7TH BRAM STOKER INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL takes place from Sunday June 29th - Sunday July 6th at St. Gabriel's Community Centre, Clontarf, Dublin 3. The theme
for the 1997 Summer School is "Stoker and Dracula….100 years later". A full schedule of events is available from the Summer School Director Dennis McIntyre.

                 A major BRAM STOKER "DRACULA" MASKED BALL will take place in Dublin on
                 Halloween Night, October 31st 1997. Fax +353 1 8330356 for further details.

                 AN POST is to issue four postage stamps and a postcard on 1st October to celebrate this
                 special Stoker year, Dracula emerging from a coffin, Dracula with a female victim, Dracula
                 with bats and Dracula with a wolf.

                 DUBLIN PLACES ASSOCIATED WITH BRAM STOKER

                 BALLYBOUGH: The graveyard here was especially reserved for burying suicide victims and
                 held a particular fascination for Bram Stoker.

                 DUBLIN WRITERS MUSEUM: The Museum houses a first edition of Dracula and the Leslie Shepard collection with many first editions and other memorabilia.

                 NATIONAL WAX MUSEUM: The Museum features a Chamber of Horrors including
                 Dracula's Castle!

                 ST MICHAN'S CHURCH: Here one can view the famous mummified bodies. A branch of the Stoker family owned an underground burial vault here.

                 TRINITY COLLEGE: Bram Stoker entered Trinity College in autumn 1864 and graduated in the spring of 1870. During his time in College he was president of the college's Philosophical
                 Society and auditor of the historical Society. Records of this time can be found in the
                 Graduate Memorial building.

                 DUBLIN CASTLE: In 1870 Stoker followed in his father's footsteps and became a civil servant  in Dublin Castle. Stoker was a petty clerk and was later promoted to the rank of inspector of petty sessions.

                 THE ST. STEPHEN'S GREEN AREA HAS FIVE FAMOUS "STOKER LANDMARKS":

                      THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL: It was here that a private meeting took place with Sir
                      Henry Irving that Stoker first, probably, seriously contemplated becoming Irving's
                      secretary/ manager.
                      THE GAIETY THEATRE: Henry Irving played at this famous Theatre in South King
                      Street and Stoker attended many shows here.
                      ST. ANNE'S CHURCH: In St. Anne's Church the famous neo-Romanesque building in
                      Dawson Street. Bram Stoker and Florence Balcombe were married on December 4th,
                      1878.
                      30 KILDARE STREET: This building, marked with a plaque, was Bram Stoker's first
                      address after moving from number 15 "The Crescent" Clontarf.
                      16 HARCOURT STREET: Number 16 Harcourt Street was once a residence of Bram
                      Stoker. Coincidentally Florence Balcombe was a neighbour here as she had been at
                      "The Crescent" Clontarf.