Bloomsday is remarked in Ireland and around the world, celebrating James Joyce’s famous novel Ulysses. This year marks the 100th anniversary of its publication.
Following the steps of Joyce’s main character, Leopold Bloom, a walking tour around Dublin was one of the events commemorating the day.
Lizkinch during a Bloomsday celebration on Grafton Street in Dublin.Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photo
At the annual celebration, reading and theater revived after two years of turmoil by Covid-19.
Ulysses, a reflection of Homer’s Odyssey, is divided into three parts, 18 “episodes,” detailing Bloom’s encounter on June 16, 1904.
Stacey Ryker McNulty and Patrick McNulty from New Jersey during the Bloomsday celebration in Dublin.Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photo
Fans visit the city of Dublin, dressed as a character in the novel, or as the author himself, following the paths of the city of Bloom and recreating excerpts from the book.
One such re-enactment was Paddy Dignam’s burial at Glasnevin Cemetery on Thursday morning, and the Pro Cathedral also hosted Bloomsday reading for the first time.
Patricia Kinch Underwood, Mary Smith, Paula Crofton, Brenda Crofton, Madeleine Flannery and Liz Kinchi dressed up to celebrate Bloomsday.Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photo
The celebration will continue until the weekend, with a 90-minute walking tour along the banks of the Royal Canal on both Saturday and Sunday.
Dermot Linsky dressed as James Joyce. Photo: GarethChaney / Collins Photos
The French Embassy in Dublin also marked Bloomsday, as the novel was first published in Paris on February 2, 1922, Joyce’s 40th birthday.
Held at the French Ambassador’s residence on Islesbury Road, the event includes the food mentioned in the novel, the iconic bar of lemon soap, reading in English, French and Ukrainian, and Franco Irish Ulysses. We commemorated the 25th anniversary of the research program.
Interim Chair of Professor Dan Carey of the Irish Research Council, Franco-Irish artist Kamil O’Sullivan, and French Ambassador Vincent Guérend During a special Bloomsday event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Franco Irish Ulysses Research Program, the French Ambassador to Ireland on Ailesbury Road. Photo: Gareth Channie / Collins Photo
