First Annual ICC Bloomsday Celebration Offers Insight and Inspiration
In the world of Irish literature, June 16 is a momentous day. June 16, 1904 is the day immortalized in James Joyce’s 1922 novel Ulysses, which follows Leopold Bloom’s life and thoughts throughout this single day. The festival of Bloomsday has become a beloved celebration of the novel and its characters, and special events are hosted in Ireland and throughout the world.
The ICC was excited to launch our first annual event for Bloomsday this past June 16. The free event was open to everyone in the community. There was no need to have read Ulysses to attend; but hopefully our guests were inspired to pick up the novel again or for the first time.
We welcomed our featured speaker, Prof. Abby Bender of Sacred Heart University, to give a fascinating look at James Joyce’s epic novel. An Associate Professor of Languages and Literature at Sacred Heart University, Prof. Bender directs the Center for Irish Studies and teaches at Sacred Heart’s campus in Dingle.
Prof. Bender presented her new research and thoughts focused on “Gathering Crumbs in James Joyce’s Dublin.” She explored the case of perhaps the most insubstantial and transitory object in the novel, the crumb. James Joyce’s encyclopedic novel Ulysses is famously considered not only the greatest, but one of the most difficult books ever written. Joyce famously said, “I’ve put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant.”
Prof. Bender followed the breadcrumbs – and sometimes, as Joyce wished, were unable to follow them – and guided attendees in finding the way, from this most insubstantial thing, to some of the novel’s big insights.
She spoke of her first time presenting at the ICC, “It was such a pleasure to talk about Ulysses with the engaged group of listeners at the ICC. So many people seemed keen to start – or restart – reading this wonderful novel! Over many years of reading it, I am always finding new sites of interest in Ulysses, and I hope these new thoughts I shared on Bloomsday, focused on at-risk children, parents, and breadcrumbs, piqued some interest. Ulysses may involve work, but it always repays the work we put into it.”
Refreshments for the event also had a Bloomsday theme. The ICC’s Trinity Pub provided light appetizers, including the novel’s famous gorgonzola sandwich that Leopold Bloom orders at Davy Byrne’s Pub. This was a popular and tasty choice among the guests.
The ICC was proud to add this new celebration of Irish culture to our programming and look forward to making this an annual event with more ways to celebrate James Joyce each year.
Prof. Bender has provided some suggestions for resources for reading Ulysses:
• Ulysses Guide >
• U22, The Centenary Ulysses Podcast >
