Following mature reflection I have come to the infallible conclusion that Bloomsday, or the Monday nearest to June 16th (today, for example!) should be a public holiday. Ponder it, as we recover from the 120th anniversary of its 1904 incarnation – albeit fictional (mere detail!). It was also the day when James Joyce had his first date with Nora, later mother of their children and his wife from 1931.
Telling his father about Nora Barnacle, the older man responded: “She’ll stick to you.” And she did. Ulysses, set on June 16th, with its less than heroic main character Leopold Bloom and voted best novel of the 20th century, as well as Joyce himself and the Dublin he immortalised – deserve celebration, you’ll agree.
(Says this dedicated culchie!) Imagine the attention were Ireland to have a public holiday celebrating a fictional character. (Don’t mention St Brigid!) It could be up there with the Wild Atlantic Way as a tourist attraction. And in June, when the weather is (occasionally) better.
READ MORE Brianna Parkins: I’m leaving Ireland. I don’t have the energy for life here CMAT in Dublin: A night of real emotion in one of the best gigs of the year Grá Pizza takeaway review: Stunning sourdough pizza served from a converted horsebox An Irishwoman in New York: I’m flattered, but why do Americans love the Irish so much? Besides, wouldn’t a public holiday towards the middle of June, as opposed to now when it is on the first Monday of the month, make practica.