I’ll be in Dublin on June 16th for this and just wondered whereabouts in the city would be the best place to experience it. I’ve visited the official site [Bloomsday Programme — Bloomsday Festival](http://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/bloomsday-elfsight) and I can see there’s lots going on but where might be the best place to see people dressed up in period costume / the most memorable sights on the day? I believe people do things on that day they would never do on any other day…? Any local insights greatly appreciated!

8 comments

  1. The National Gallery gets a few dressed up people in. Probably because it’s near that pharmacy that’s in the book. And the prom in Sandymount but tbh…you don’t see that many people going all out in person, the news seems to find clutches of them for their light piece for that days news but other than that at times you’d utterly forget it was a thing unless you stumbled across someone in full regalia

  2. Probably Davy Byrne’s Pub on Duke Street. In Ulysses Leopold Bloom stops there for a sandwich and a drink, so all the people who are out for the day in period costume seem to do the same. There tends to be music and reenactments going on outside too

  3. Many decades ago I just traced Bloom’s day (as far as was still possible, and doable by me) on foot by myself. That was really the most brilliant Bloomsday I ever had in Dublin. So much is altered now of course, but you can pay your respects still to many hallowed locations. You won’t see colourful silks in the window of Brown Thomas now, as the store is now a Marks and Spencer’s, and BT has moved opposite. Still, the windows are enchanting on 16th June, just in the imagination. Round the corner you won’t get a seat in Davy Byrne’s pub, but there’s bound to be somewhere else offering Gorgonzola sandwiches and a glass of red. The pharmacy also nearby will be crammed, but be sure to find out in advance where you can buy a Bronnley lemon-shaped soap to keep in your pocket for the day. (Nice to sniff on a hot day, too) There’s surely other Bloomsday info out there apart from this festival leaflet. (Any walking tours up to Eccles Street, for example?) A crowd of people in blazers and boaters, and Edwardian frocks, is fun, but a whisper of the ghost of 1904 Dublin is well worth chasing on foot, and on this day with your mind’s eye open, you really can glimpse it.

  4. The James Joyce tower at the 40ft.is a great place on the day. Readings etc outside and on the
    ” battlements ” of the tower then lunch etc in nearby Glasthule .

    Highly recommend. Enjoy

  6. The James Joyce Centre on North Great George’s street usually has a decent programme of events and readings.

    As others have said the Martello tower and Davy Byrne’s pub are good vibes too.

    Sweny’s chemist on Lincoln place will usually have a crowd with readings and singalongs that tends to migrate across the street to Kennedy’s pub and the Ginger Man.

    Sometimes you’ll find people congregating in Meeting House square in Templebar for readings.

    If you can do a walking tour I highly recommend it, they’re always a fun crowd and usually very informative.

    And don’t forget to say Yes!

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