Celebrating Bloomsday in Madrid

Tourism Ireland shines spotlight on Bloomsday, Dublin and our rich literary heritage in Spain

This Bloomsday in Madrid, Tourism Ireland is celebrating James Joyce and Ulysses, with a number of events taking place throughout the day. Tourism Ireland’s aim is to shine a spotlight on our rich literary heritage and to encourage potential Spanish visitors to come and follow in the footsteps of Leopold Bloom, to discover Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and the home of Ulysses. 

Today’s busy programme has been organised in conjunction with Soy de la Cuesta (an association representing the origins of Cuesta de Moyano, the site of Madrid’s book market). It includes a morning press conference, which will be attended by around 30 top Spanish journalists and influencers, who will hear all about Joyce’s masterpiece and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. Fionnuala Gallagher from The James Joyce Centre on Dublin’s North Great George’s Street will do a reading of a James Joyce letter; and Dublin duo Neil Dignam and Caty Cleary will entertain the guests. 

A ‘Madrid-Dublin Bloomsday Route’ will involve readings of passages from Ulysses at various locations in the Spanish capital, with well-known artists and writers participating. In the evening, composer and singer Christina Rosenvinge will read from the famous final chapter of Ulysses, Molly Bloom’s monologue, at Plaza de Santa Ana in central Madrid.

Susan Bolger, Tourism Ireland’s Manager in Spain, said: “Tourism Ireland is delighted to celebrate Bloomsday and James Joyce’s Ulysses. Our aim is to highlight Dublin and our rich literary heritage – particularly to our important ‘culturally curious’ audience. We’re encouraging potential Spanish visitors to come and follow in the footsteps of Leopold Bloom, to discover Dublin and the home of Ulysses.”

Actor Jonathan D. Mellor reading a passage from Ulysses along the ‘Madrid-Dublin Bloomsday Route’, part of Tourism Ireland’s Bloomsday celebrations in Madrid.