Why you have to experience the madness that is Bloomsday
<p>The Irish love a good party and Bloomsday is one of the best!</p>
<p><strong>What is it?</strong></p>
<p>The iconic Irish novel Ulysses, written by James Joyce, is set in Dublin June 16, 1904. The book was published in 1922 and soon after people began to use this date to celebrate all things Joyce. The name Bloomsday comes from the name of the book’s protagonist, Leopold Bloom. The date had personal significance for Joyce too – it was the day he went on his first date with the women who would become his wife, Nora Barnacle. Bloomsday is now marked around the world, but the biggest celebration is in Dublin with up to 10,000 people making the literary pilgrimage.</p>
<p><strong>What happens?</strong></p>
<p>The Bloomsday festival has expanded over the years and now officially runs for around a week leading up to June 16. A huge range of literary activities happen around the city, like readings, plays, expert talks and museum exhibitions. Join a pub crawl or whiskey and food trail to get a taste of traditional Irish hospitality.</p>
<p>On the day, Joyce fans from around the world make their way around Dublin dressed in classic Edwardian costume, checking off many of the locations mentioned in the book. The day starts with the same full Irish breakfast eaten by Leopold himself - bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans, tomato, black and white pudding, and potatoes all fried in butter, along with a side of liver and kidneys. Stops during the day include pubs, a hospital, a cemetery, the National Library, a newspaper office and other houses that feature in the book. And as with any good Irish celebration, there will be plenty of Guinness and whiskey to keep you satiated.</p>
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<p><strong>How much is it?</strong></p>
<p>You can join in on the day for free and all the main stops are listed on the James Joyce website (jamesjoyce.ie/bloomsday). There are plenty of free events around town, like live music at pubs or readings of the novel. Other events require tickets and prices range from around €10 up to €60.</p>
