Highlights: Bloomsday Celebrations Dublin 2017

 

What was the best Bloomsday Celebration in Dublin 2017? This year passed with an exceptional number of events, tours and tastings planned in honour of the Dublin literary legend: James Joyce. You don’t need to have read Ulysses to partake in celebrations! Every year there are many events and readings centred on Dubliners and Finnegans Wake and a variety of literary gatherings that would appeal to any bookworm.

 

Just past…

1) The Joyce of Whiskey Tour

Joyce and whiskey have a long standing relationship | bloomsdayfestival.ie

The Joyce of Whiskey Tour took place on 15th June in Dublin Castle to honour the presence of whiskey in Joyce’s works. The tour consisted of a whiskey tasting in all of Dublin’s best pubs accompanied by tailored readings from Joyce at every venue.

 

2) The Joyce of Food

Mangan’s butchers, anyone? | bloomsdayfestival.ie

For all the foodies who also love Joyce ‘The Joyce of Food,’ run by the Irish Food Trail, took place on the 18th of June at Dublin Castle. Participants were treated to a three hour food and drink tour inspired by Ulysses.

 

3) “What is your nation if I may ask?”

A writers conversation with Ruth Gilligan, Michael O’Loughlin and Dermot Bolger | bloomsdayfestival.ie

Ruth Gilligan, Michael O’Loughlin and Dermot Bolger met in the GPO to debate the topic of nationalism in Ulysses on 15th June for an event called ‘What is your nation if I may ask?’ which sold out.

 

4) The Joyce Bike Tour

Read Dubliners by Bike was back by popular demand!

During the week of Bloomsday you could ‘Read Dubliners by Bike’ with Wonderland Theatre group! The bike tours were also available to people who wanted to read and visit locations from Dubliners. Speeding around Dublin by bike with the words of Joyce ringing in your ears is an ideal way to spend the day. There was also a Joyce bus tour on Wednesday that took passengers on a half-day tour around Joyce’s Dublin, stopping for a literary lunch in Sandycove.

 

You still have a chance!

 

1) Beyond Bloomsday Events: ‘The Joys of Joyce’ and ‘Cyclops’

There are still tickets available for Peter Reid’s play in the New Theatre

 

Known as the “Bloomsday Fringe” many independent film and theatre events are happening to honour the writer. The IFI are showing a series of documentaries called ‘The Joys of Joyce’ at lunchtime from 1st – 30th June so there’s still a chance to be involved in Bloomsday long after the 16th. Peter Reid’s ‘Cyclops,’ based on Ulysses, will also be performed in the New Theatre on Essex Street from 5th – 24th June. Tickets are available here!

 

2) The Artists Response: Merrion Square Artists and Oliver Cornet Gallery

The artists of Merrion Square painted themed pictures to honour Bloomsday celebrations. Works were on show and on sale over the weekend of the 16th in Merrion Square. Another art exhibition is taking place in the Oliver Cornet Gallery on Denmark Street from 16th – 25th of June entitled ‘There’s a touch of the artist about the old bloom’. The exh

A Joycean image by the Merrion Square Artists | merrionart.com

ibition is a visual response to Ulysses through sketching and offers interesting and highly individual responses to the book by a variety of artists. 

 

3) The James Joyce Tower and Museum

A beautiful site on the dart line.

The James Joyce Tower and Museum in Sandycove is the best place to get a good idea of the Joyce’s life and work as a writer. Documentaries, authentic furniture, a death mask – you’d want to check that out – and a family tree are among the treasures you’ll find in Sandycove.

 

So no matter whether you’re an avid Joyce fan or a budding bookworm, Bloomsday can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone. Be sure to get out and enjoy the events still running until the end of the month: all in celebration of the momentous Irish literary figure.

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