The original Dublin Bloomsday in 1954 began with a trip to the Martello Tower in Sandycove, the setting of the first episode of Ulysses and now home to the James Joyce Museum. A trip to Sandycove (and an optional dip in the nearby Forty-Foot bathing hole) is now one of Bloomsday’s most celebrated traditions.

A week of special events at the tower begins on Saturday 9 June when actress Caitriona Ni Threasaigh presents her own acclaimed performance of Molly Bloom at 2 pm and 4 pm.

On Sunday 10 June there will be a performance at 3 pm by Irish tenor and Joycean music specialist Noel O’Grady.  

From Monday 11 to Wednesday 13 June hourly guided tours of the museum will be led by members of the devoted volunteer staff throughout opening hours (10am to 6pm).

On Thursday 14 June Aidan Coleman presents his musical odyssey through Joyce’s life and works in separate performances at 12 noon and 3 pm, and on Friday 15 June  visitors will be entertained by Darina Gallagher and Sinead Murphy in an afternoon of Joycean songs from 2pm.

On Saturday 16 June the Tower opens at 8am for a day of Bloomsday festivities. Actor Bryan Murray reads excerpts from Ulysses at intervals over the morning and early afternoon, with occasional performances by Caitriona Ni Threaisaigh and Mary Pat Moloney and traditional contributions by Joycean pilgrims and the visiting public throughout the day.

Admission for all events is free and no booking is required. Please contact joycetower@failteireland.ie or call 01 2809265 if you intend to bring a group or have any queries.

These events are kindly supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Fáilte Ireland and the Friends of Joyce Tower Society.