Locals ‘bring Ulysses to life’ in Bloomsday celebrations under shadow of Martello tower

Hundreds of James Joyce enthusiasts dressed in early 20th century clothes filled Glasthule main street in south Dublin and adjoining Sandycove on Friday on a pilgrimage to the Martello tower where the opening scenes of Ulysses take place.

The tower, overlooking the Irish Sea, provided the perfect backdrop for award-winning actor Bryan Murray, who stars in RTÉ's Fair City, to read from Joyce’s famed work.

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Blaise Reid, Paul Maher, Louis O’Byrne, Ian Blackmore, Peter Prior and Val O’Donnell, members of the JoyceStagers, perform The Funeral of Paddy Dignam from James Joyce’s Ulysses at Glasnevin Cemetery on Bloomsday 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

“It was a fantastic reading and a great day. So many people were there, I love it and I like being here. I’ve been coming here for years. He’s a bit of a genius, Mr Joyce,” said Murray afterwards.

Margaret Browne, who is one of the original organisers of the Bloomsday celebrations in the area which first began in the 1980s, explained the event is changing every year and has become “much bigger” since its inception.

Locals ‘bring Ulysses to life’ in Bloomsday celebrations under shadow of Martello tower

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The Joyce celebrations run for five days this year — from last Wednesday to Sunday.

“It’s great to see so many people turn up for the events which last all weekend but in particular Bloomsday itself,” she said. “They really make an effort to attend and to dress up which to me shows how appreciative they are for all the work that goes into making this celebration such a success.”

Also there to enjoy June 16th in great colour and style despite the intermittent showers of rain were David Marlborough and Lua Mcilraith, who explained why the day means so much to them.

Ms Mcilraith said she sings at the event every year. “I’ve been singing at the event for around 10 years since the volunteers got involved. James Joyce is so well known worldwide and he is one of our best writers even though he wrote so little compared to others. But there is this huge interest in Joyce. There have been people from other countries such as Turkey and Korea reading Ulysses in their own language to passersby,” she said.

Mr Marlborough added that the day was “so much fun” and that the atmosphere “would put anyone in good form”.

Also there to celebrate was outgoing cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council and former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin.

Locals and visitors to the area “bring Ulysses to life here”, said Cllr Hanafin.

“We start at Sandycove Tower, move on to Cavistons [restaurant-shop] for breakfast, up to Fitzgerald’s pub for readings and songs where we all get to do our party piece and then on to Blackrock for a live performance of Ulysses in the evening.”

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Blaise Reid, Paul Maher, Louis O’Byrne, Ian Blackmore, Peter Prior and Val O’Donnell, members of the JoyceStagers, perform The Funeral of Paddy Dignam from James Joyce’s Ulysses at Glasnevin Cemetery on Bloomsday 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times