BLOOMSDAY 2012
The History & Tradition of Bloomsday
Bloomsday celebrates the day on which the action of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses takes place, 16th June 1904, the day on which we believe Joyce first went out with his future wife Nora Barnacie. The day is named after Leopaold Bloom, the central character in Ulysses.
One of the earliest Bloomsday celebrations was a Ulysses lunch, organised by Sylvia Beach, the publisher of Ulysses and her partner Adrienne Monnier in France in June 1929. The first Bloomsday celebrated in Ireland was in 1954.
Today Bloomsday is celebrated by Joyceans across the globe with readings, performances, re-enactments and a host of other events. In Dublin, enthusiasts dress in Edwardian costume and gather during the day at many of the location where episodes of Ulysses took place (Martello Tower at Sandycove, Davy Byrne’s pub and 7 Eccles Street).
The James Joyce centre hosts Bloomsday breakfasts and other events in the run up to June 16th as well as on the day.
Bloomsday 2012
The copyright for Joyce’s work expired at the end of 2011 so the celebration of Bloomsday 2012 will be very special indeed. Tight control of Ulysses has been kept during the copyright period so fans are determined to celebrate this freedom with special public performances. To date the only place where public readings of Ulysses were allowed was on Bloomsday in the James Joyce Centre in North Great George’s Street,
Plans are already in place for Bloomsday 2012 to re-enact parts of Bloom’s journey with spontaneous performances of his work across the city. These Bloomsday 2012 performances will feature on Twitter and Facebook encouraging the public to join in to make Bloomsday 2012 one of the best ever.
James Joyce Centre
This restored 18th century Georgian townhouse is the Centre’s home and is located on the North Side of the City, the City of Joyce’s birth and the settling for all his work and is just 4 minutes walk from the Castle Hotel.
The James Joyce Centre is dedicated to promoting an understanding of the life and works of James Joyce. The Centre strives to be an integral contributor to the network of institutions, which celebrate Ireland’s rich cultural heritage. The Centre is also the home of Bloomsday in Dublin and organises great events throughout the year to celebrate, discuss and promote the works of Ireland’s greatest Modern Writer. The Centre provides visitors for student and scholars, with a rewarding and memorable experience.
From this central location the Centre aims through a programme of exhibition, education, outreach and activities, to mark the appreciation of this most remarkable and significant literary figure of the 20th Century.
The centre can provide pre-booked specialised workshops, in addition to providing walking tours of the city.
On February 2nd marked the 127th anniversary of James Joyce Birth and on 18 January marked the 126th anniversary of Joyce’s sister Poppie’s Birth.
James Joyce Centre
35 North Great George’s Street, Dublin 1
Phone: (+353) 01-8746949
General Enquiries/Reservations/Requests: info@castle-hotel.ie
Group bookings: yvonne@castle-hotel.ie
The Castle Hotel, Gardiner Row / Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Satnav: Latitude 53.3546 Longitude : 6.2635
