To mark Bloomsday 2026, the Irish Consulate in Scotland hosted an evening of fantastic discussions, music and conversation as part of a global series of events entitled “Bloomsday & Beyond”, featuring international cultural events celebrating James Joyce’s Ulysses.
To kick off, we were treated to some wonderful music from the period in which Ulysses was set by mezzo-soprano Joyce Byrne accompanied on piano by Mary McCarthy of the Little Ireland Arts Collective. Edward Sweeney provided a wonderful scene setter to each piece and also put in a very elegant plug for the Wexford Festival Opera later this year!
A lively and engaged panel discussion followed on the links between Joyce and Scotland involving Professors Matthew Creasy and Maria-Daniella Dick from University of Glasgow and Professor Richard Barlow from University of St Andrews
Ranging from Joyce’s views on the Celtic mind and his first overseas visit to Glasgow to a Finnegan’s Wake reading group visit to a neolithic tomb in Scotland, this was a varied and entertaining tribute to a legendary Irish writer.
Many thanks to all those who took part in making this evening possible and the many active and engaged guests who attended this event.
