We’re stepping back in time to celebrate Bloomsday at Tigh Nora with a ‘Bloomsday Salon’ – an afternoon of music, poetry and readings at 3pm on Friday, 16th June.
Always a highlight on the Irish literacy scene, Bloomsday is a commemoration and celebration of the life of Irish writer James Joyce, during which the events of his most famous novel Ulysses (which is set on 16th June 1904) are relived. ‘Tigh Nora’, Galway’s first Gin Bar, is actually named after Nora Barnacle who was the wife and inspiration of Joyce so we’re certainly celebrating the occasion.
Bringing Bloomsday to life in Galway city, spend the afternoon enjoying the magic of Joyce’s work at ‘Tigh Nora’, led by director Páraic Breathnach, who will also perform Joyce’s famous poem ‘She Weeps over Rahoon’. Actress Sarah O’ Toole slips into character reading engaging extracts from the Molly Bloom soliloquy, the final chapter in Ulysses, which is widely believed to be based on Nora Barnacle.
A musical recital from the Corrib Quartet of Joyce’s most famous music will also set the tone for the afternoon. And the evening concludes with an evocative musical performance of song from Joyce’s repertoire by pianist Tom Cullivan and Soprano Sandra Schalks.
Nora was a Galway girl and grew up just around the corner, passing by the bar each day on her way to school and to visit her family. In her late teens Nora moved to Dublin where she met James Joyce and he instantly fell madly in love with her. The day they met, Thursday 16th June 1908, is now celebrated annually as ‘Bloomsday’ which is the date depicted in James Joyce’s most famous novel Ulysses.
‘Tigh Nora’ aims to keep the memory and influence of Nora Barnacle alive as it’s often argued that James Joyce would not have been the writer he became without meeting Nora Barnacle, they began an intense and passionate relationship that defined Joyce as a master of words.
Intended for an adult audience, the Bloomsday Salon is free of charge to attend at ‘Tigh Nora’ but arrive early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.