Bloomsday at findmypast.ie

With Bloomsday, the annual celebration of the life of James Joyce, fast approaching we thought we’d take a look through the records to find some Joycean associations. The Dublin directories provided a few good finds.

John Stanislaus Joyce

James’ father is listed at the original Joyce family home in the leafy Dublin suburb of Rathgar, this was before John had drank most of the family’s money and they moved to Bray, Co.Wicklow. John Joyce is said to have inspired several character’s in his son’s work including: Simon Dedalus in “Ulysses” and the narrator’s uncle in “The Dead”.

Oliver St. John Gogarty

Buck Mulligan, the first character to appear in Ulysses, is based on Oliver St.John Gogarty, poet, author, surgeon and one time friend of Joyce. Our directory shows him residing on Bell’s Lane off Ely Place in Dublin City.

Michael Cusack

The famous founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association is the model for the xenophobic Citizen in the Cyclops episode of Ulysses. This directory shows Cusack listed at his own Civil Service Academy “Cusack’s Academy” in Dublin which prepared pupils for the civil service examinations.

As always there is plenty happening around Dublin for Bloomsday, we’ll be Walking in the Footsteps of Leopald Bloom on Sunday. For more information see the James Joyce Centre website.

Why not try researching some famous characters from Irish literature, there are plenty, when taking a break from finding your own ancestors please let us know if you find anyone interesting!

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