Bloomsday may not be a major event on the holiday or event calendars for most people, but it’s an absolutely genius and deeply Irish day. I can’t think of a better idea than to take a date – in this case June 16th – and to turn it into a day long celebration, for a character from a work of fiction. Continue reading Blooming marvelous
Category Archives: Books
Bloomsday: James Joyce Day, June 16th
I have a gig on Friday with a band. The fact that I am unable to play a musical instrument, and possess a singing voice that sounds like a bag of cats in a blender (a metaphorical blender – I love cats and would never knowingly cause a moment of distress to one of those classy creatures) is entirely irrelevant. My services were requested, so I graciously accepted. I have been asked to perform to honour the works of Mr. James Joyce. Continue reading Bloomsday: James Joyce Day, June 16th
Bookworm: ‘The thing about December’
Some months ago I started reading the book ‘The thing about December’ by Donal Ryan. I put it to one side after a few days. On my recent weekend in Lisbon it accompanied me. Continue reading Bookworm: ‘The thing about December’
The bookshelf of doom: ‘A place called Winter’
When I returned to Ireland at the end of 2015, I bid farewell to my book collection. This was one of the most heartbreaking parts of leaving Amsterdam. It was a collection that had been lovingly built up over decades. Comprising of books purchased in Dublin late last century when I lived there – these had been transported at my employer’s expense when I moved to the Land Below the Sea at the turn of the century – right up to the moment of departure, There were hundreds of books involved. Continue reading The bookshelf of doom: ‘A place called Winter’
Handsome men are slightly sunburnt
This is both a statement of fact, and the title of a book of short stories by Wexford writer Frank Ronan which was published in the 1990s. Continue reading Handsome men are slightly sunburnt
‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’
My visitor from the Netherlands left a book at my house.
This was not an accident – she actually said ‘I’ve finished that book. Would you like to have it? It’s quite good and I’m anxious to get my bags to a weight below 15 kilograms.’ Continue reading ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’
midnightmurphy 