The Dignam Inquest: Matters of Some Concern with Senan Molony

Step into a courtroom unlike any other, where literature, history, and mystery collide on Monday, 8th June at 7pm in the IADT Carnegie Library. Journalist and author Senan Molony invites you to become part of a live jury, tasked with unravelling one of the most curious deaths in Ulysses.

Was Patrick “Paddy” Dignam the victim of a sudden illness, a fatal heart event, or something far more suspicious? Drawing on the rich, layered world of James Joyce, Molony reconstructs a coroner’s inquiry with wit, theatrical flair, and forensic intrigue—placing the audience at the very centre of the verdict.

Expect sharp analysis, dark humour, and unexpected twists as evidence is weighed, witnesses are called, and long-buried questions resurface. This is not just a lecture—it’s an immersive investigation into one of Dublin’s most enigmatic fictional deaths.

The court is in session. The question is: what really happened to Paddy Dignam???

The event is free but booking is essential.

Senan Molony is the Political Editor of the Irish Daily Mail. He was formerly Deputy Political Editor for the Irish Independent. His books include Celtic Mists (1987), The Irish Aboard Titanic (2000), The Phoenix Park Murders: Conspiracy, Betrayal and Retribution (2006), and Titanic Scandal: The Trial of the Mount Temple (2010). He has also written and lectured extensively on James Joyce and Irish literature.