Edinburgh celebrates Bloomsday

The Consulate hosted a lively event to celebrate Bloomsday on the evening of 15 June.

Bloomsday is named after Leopold Bloom, the central character in James Joyce’s Ulysses.  The novel follows the life and thoughts of Leopold Bloom and a host of other characters – real and fictional – from the morning of 16 June 1904 through to the early hours of the following morning.

Consul General Mark Hanniffy welcomed guests to the Consulate, and opened proceedings by reading an excerpt from diary of Seán Lester, an Irish diplomat, in which he describes a conversation with James Joyce, only weeks before the author’s death in 1941.

The Consul General then handed over to Hayden Murphy, who read a new poem ‘OMPHALOS:  The Unseen Owl in Ulysses’, composed especially for the occasion.

Brian Taylor of BBC Scotland regaled the audience with the story of Bloom’s short-lived visit to the Burton Restaurant, which he promptly abandons in favour of Davy Byrne’s, a ‘moral pub’.

Maria Dick brings to life the character of Gerty MacDowell

Maria Dick from the University of Glasgow read from “Nausicaa”, taking on the role of Gerty MacDowell, before handing over to Owen Dudley Edwards, who read expertly from “Oxen of the Sun” and John Coyle, who read from “Circe”.

Amy Bromley brought proceedings to a close, speaking Molly Bloom’s soliloquy, dancing around fleeting thoughts of everyday life and memories of her husband.

Following the readings, guests viewed an exhibition on the life and works of James Joyce, developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Further information on James Joyce, his life and legacy can be found on the website of the James Joyce Centre.

For more pictures of this event, check out the Consulate General of Ireland Facebook page.