All about Bloomsday in Bruff Saturday 16th June.. a few paragraphs to scroll down but worth it!

All about Bloomsday in Bruff, a few paragraphs to scroll through, but a real flavour of the day…   and by the way please spread the word….please share…

Every Bloomsday is different, but maybe this year the one in Bruff, Co. Limerick will be exceptional. To begin with we have two superb venues, the renovated and atmospheric Church of Ireland building on Main Street, Bruff and this year another wonderful venue the beautifully restored F.C.J Convent now known as The Kennedy Rooms (www.thekennedyrooms.com) also in Bruff.

Bloomsday in Bruff has something for everyone….  and you don’t need to be an expert on Joyce to really enjoy the day!

We start off at 11.15am on the steps of the Church of Ireland where award winning actress, Mary Harvey and Cllr.Gerald Mitchell - Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Cappamore-Kilmallock, will perform the opening ceremony. We will then go in to the Church of Ireland for words, music and good food (catering for a full Joycean Breakfast by The Bakehouse Restaurant, (https://www.bakehouse.ie)

After we finish our Breakfast, we will then stroll through Bruff/Dublin/Ulysses, a short walk with stops including the bookies, McAuliffe’s, to hear about the Gold Cup at Ascot in 1904, and maybe have a bet on the Gold Cup.  the chemist O’Connors/Swenys, where you will hear about Leopold perambulations about the town, and have an opportunity to buy some Lemon Scented soap, a stop at Clancy’s Bar to hear a reading from Portrait of an Artist, as George Clancy/Davin and James Joyce/Stephen argue about patriotism, and to hang a wreath to acknowledge the friendship of James Joyce and George Clancy  and finally maybe a pause outside Derry’s Bar/Barney Kiernans Bar to get a taste of The Cyclops Chapter and an argument about nationality and anti-semitism……

and then on to the Kennedy Rooms, pausing to watch and cheer children’s games and maybe the odd game of croquet on the lawn, entering the building by the elegant main entrance, admiring some of the sights and artefacts on the way, to the Brian Boru Bar, where we will partake of a glass of Burgundy and a morsel of Gorgonzola, whilst being entertained with words and music…..

and then to our Triestine Cafe, where the cheesecake and coffee will be served in the sumptuous surroundings, again to hear wonderful words and live music, from Jazz to Viennese Waltz, with local singers and also musicians from the Irish Chamber Orchestra…. and at some stage a talk to bring it all together, making connections….   maybe the finish will come with a traditional communal singing of  Just a Song at Twilight or/and Molly’s soliloquoy…. also hear part of a short story from Dubliner’s, a rendition of rarely heard Gas from a Burner, Joyce at his amusing and sarcastic best….  all this between the first words of Ulysses and the last words of the book….  yes, it will be a great day…. yes and as always there will be more… 

…at  the end of a wonderful Bloomsday, you will have learnt and enjoyed so much about one of Ireland’s, and indeed the worlds, finest writers…    and you will have become an honorary Joycean!

We start the day at approx 11.15 outside the Church of Ireland, Main Street, Bruff and we will finish in the Brian Boru bar…  at about 5.30 or there a-bouts .

As with Leopold Blooms wandering about Dublin on June 16th, our wanderings and events on Bloomsday in Bruff will be flexible… we will try and squeeze everything in….  

but don’t miss a moment…

further details from 087 212 7521 or email bloomsdayinbruff@gmail.com…  a place at the Joycean Breakfast must be booked in advance ….

If anyone in the town would like to participate in any way, by stewarding, serving drinks, coffee or cheesecake, by offering a prize for a raffle, (this last particularly applies to the business community in the town)…   come along and support this most distinctive local celebration.

www.bloomsdayireland.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BloomsdayBruff/

Another fantastic venue for Bloomsday in Bruff