Press release
Minister highlights impact of James Joyce’s Ulysses on Bloomsday
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, took the opportunity on Bloomsday to highlight the impact today of James Joyce’s Ulysses – one of the most important literary achievements in the history of the State.
Published in 1922 by Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare and Company, the book was a sensation, immediately achieving notoriety through its banning in the US and England. It is now recognised as a global masterpiece - TS Eliot described it as a book "to which we are all indebted, and from which none of us can escape".
Bloomsday celebrates Thursday, 16th of June 1904, the day depicted in Ulysses. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the central character in Ulysses.
Minister Martin said:
"This is a special Bloomsday as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses - a great book about Dublin, by a great Dublin writer, but also a huge moment in international writing. It is also the first year of celebrating Bloomsday since restrictions were lifted and our celebrations are all the richer for this. Ulysses is a very distinct book for each reader. With 100 years this year since the publication of the masterpiece Ulysses, we mark James Joyce, all the heroes and rich characters he gave us, which have fed imaginations for generations and which continue to inspire, amuse and reflect a lot that is Irish."
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are supporting projects throughout the year to mark this literary centenary including programmes in the James Joyce Centre and the Museum of Modern Literature Ireland. Funding of €140,000 has been provided to the James Joyce Centre and MoLI towards their centenary programming with Fáilte Ireland also contributing almost €10,000 towards this year’s festival. The department also supports the James Joyce Centre with an annual allocation of €185,000.
Minister Martin said:
"Through their innovative programming which include exhibitions, readings, literary walking tours, theatre and bespoke programmes for young people, the James Joyce Centre and the Museum of Modern Literature of Ireland are making Joyce accessible to all and bringing our capital city alive to a whole new audience in new and wonderful ways. I know other stakeholders throughout this country and abroad are also celebrating the centenary in unique ways and I hope everyone enjoys the day."