Arcadia Ireland

Bloomsday is a very special day in Dublin City. Each year on the 16th of June, lovers of the great Irish writer James Joyce come together to celebrate and appreciate his most famous work Ulysses. June 16th is the day depicted in Ulysses, which follows Leopold Bloom along with other characters for a full day and night around Dublin.

The festivities include dressing up like the characters of the book, in particular wearing a straw boater hat.   There are dozens of celebrations throughout Dublin such as readings, performances and visiting the places in the book.  One of the more noted celebrations is the Bloomsday Breakfast; this unfortunately includes liver and kidneys along with a typical full Irish Breakfast.

This summer the Arcadia in Dublin students, studying Irish Literature with Dr. Gareth Fagan took a trip out to the James Joyce tower and museum in Sandycove. The tower is where Ulysses begins, and the students had the opportunity to learn about this great work of literature by embarking on a tour from the Friends of Joyce Tower society. What a brilliant experience to have while studying abroad in Ireland!