Enjoy the centenary celebrations of Bloomsday, June 16, a day that has been inspired by James Joyce's masterpiece novel 'Ulysses'. So whether you are a literary fan or just after a party, get yourself to Ireland for some mid-summer fun!

Bloomsday 2004: celebrate 100 years of Joyce and 'Ulysses' at Ireland's largest breakfast!
Party with James Joyce-check out Dublin's Bloomsday events!
Joyce, Bloomsday and 'Ulysses' delve into Dublin's James Joyce locations!

Bloomsday has become one of the most celebrated days in world literature as Joyce fans from all over the world pay homage to the works of the great man.

It was June 16, 2024 when Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom (two main characters of 'Ulysses') both stepped out to begin their journey through the most famous of days. Visit the streets of Dublin this June and join thousands of Dubliners and Joyce fans as Bloomsday 2004 kicks off.

You can start the party in true Leopold Bloom style by getting down to the Denny Bloomsday Centenary Breakfast on June 13, 2024 to consume 'the inner organs of beasts and fowls' or to put it in non-Joyce speak, a full Irish breakfast!

The event is FREE and takes place on O'Connell Street from Parnell Street to Abbey Street. There are four breakfast servings with the first fry-up served at 9.00 a.m. and running until 12 noon. To add to your enjoyment there is a generous helping of street theatre, music, dance and comedy events throughout the morning.

For those Joyce fans interested in the how the masterpiece 'Ulysses' was created, you can take a journey through the world of Joyce tracing his literary development through the years.

From June 12 (and for the next 12 months) The National Library of Ireland on Kildare Street are displaying recently discovered manuscripts and notebooks of Joyce along with periodic photography that will draw you back to turn-of-the-century Dublin…the Dublin of Joyce!

On the evening of June 16, 2024 get yourself down to O'Connell Street in Dublin's city center for the musical and theatrical spectacle that will be the 'Parable of The Plums'. This unique event (inspired by the goings-on of two colorful Dublin women in 'Ulysses') will include over 150 performers containing professional artists along with the best of amateur drama containing local community groups and groups from the Nigerian, Chinese and Brazilian communities.

The event will comprise of three parades that will flow from the surrounding city streets to merge on-stage at O'Connell Street-an evening of street entertainment will follow that would make old Mr. Joyce himself feel as proud as a plum!

To wrap up the Bloomsday celebrations, join the Joycean crowd as it pays its last respects at 'Paddy Dignam's Wake' on June 18, 2024 at the Dublin venue The Vaults!

In recognition of Joyce's creation, the Dignam family will welcome you to join in their mourning of their recently deceased relative…this entails an evening of music and fun all in true traditional Irish style! The sorrow of Paddy Dignam's passing will be replaced with a joyous night of entertainment with some storytelling thrown in for good measure and a succulent buffet with drinks included also.

As well as enjoying the festivities of the Bloomsday Centenary celebrations, why not take the opportunity to visit the many locations and tourist attractions connected with James Joyce:

You should definitely make your way to the Joyce Tower at Sandycove, just south of the city, where the opening chapter of 'Ulysses' is set. The Joyce Tower provides an in-depth look at the work of Joyce as well as re-creating the bedroom, as it would have been during Joyce's stay there.

Climb to the top of the staircase and enjoy fantastic views of Dublin Bay before descending and browsing through the artifacts and memorabilia connected with the great literary scribe! Afterwards, you can take a stroll along the nearby pebble beach and potter around the sleepy streets of Sandycove where you can stop off for a bite to eat and sample a pint or two in the town's pubs-well, that's how Joyce would have rounded off the day!

Also, you should make your way to North Great Georges Street in Dublin to one of the city's finest restored Georgian townhouses…the James Joyce Center! Apart from showcasing all that was good about the architecture of that era, the James Joyce Center's main aim is promote a greater interest in the life and literary genius of Joyce.

In order to achieve this, the center organizes guided tours of the house and through the north inner city, an area that so inspired his works. The center has an audio-visual display and other various attractions and is actually staffed by relatives of James Joyce.

Another fine example of Georgian restoration at its best is 15 Usher's Island, the setting for Joyce's story 'The Dead'. Discover all about the house's connections with James Joyce and the history of this literary landmark that stretches all the way back to the 13th Century!

You can check out the recently opened art gallery and enjoy views of the stunning James Joyce Bridge from the third floor of the house.

As a frequent visitor to Dublin's pubs it would be criminal not to partake in a favorite past time of Joyce and that of his 'Ulysses' characters Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom-a visit to a Dublin pub!

One such pub is of course, Davy Byrne's, immortalized by Joyce in 'Ulysses' and now internationally known as a fine eating and drinking establishment in the old-style of Dublin.

The Bailey was another of Joyce's haunts and it still maintains the actual door of the house where the fictional Leopold Bloom resided (7 Eccles Street). Both pubs are located just off Dublin's busiest shopping areas, Grafton Street, so a quick drink can be had before setting off for the retail outlets!