Bloomsday News Release
Bloomsday News Release
ST PAUL, MN, June 16 is observed around the world as Bloomsday, a celebration of James Joyce and his epic Ulysses, a novel that has been called everything from masterfully moving to hilariously obscene. Hosted by Irish Network-Minnesota for the fourth year, St. Paul joins cities around the world from Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, Italy and throughout the U.S. in getting the Bloomsday party started.
Whether you like the novel or not, whether you think it is the greatest book ever written or not, after 97 years Ulysses is still being read, enjoyed, discussed, reinterpreted and rediscovered,” said Patrick Coleman, Acquisition Librarian, Minnesota Historical Center, “a Homeric achievement!”
The virtual event, directed by Stephen Murray, former Chicago playwright who relocated to Minnesota, will include readings commemorating Ulysses, provided by local and national actors. Bloomsday festivities will also include Irish music and special guest appearances. Visit irishnetworkmn.org to register for the event. The Dubliner Pub will be featuring a watch party for IN-MN’s 4th Annual Bloomsday Fest at their University Avenue and Vandalia location at 7 p.m. on June 16.
For the first time the organization will be presenting the Irish Network Minnesota Bloomsday Literary Award to celebrate the incredible writing talent that thrives in Minnesota. The 2021 award will be presented to internationally known and locally-based poet, Ethna McKiernan, who will be accepting it virtually. We send our heartfelt gratitude to Ethna for a lifelong dedication to her incredible legacy of poetry.
McKiernan has twice been awarded the Minnesota State Art Board grant and was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award for her first book, Caravan. Her work has been anthologized in the Notre Dame Book of Irish American Poetry, 33 Minnesota Poets and many more.publications. Her other books include Sky Thick with Fireflies (2011) and Swimming with Shadows (2019). She has a new book of poetry out this month, Light Slowly Rolling Backward: New and Selected Poems. More information available at www.salmonpoetry.com. McKiernan also owned and managed Irish Books & Media, the premier, worldwide resource for Irish books, manuscripts and other media from 1977-2007. She is the daughter of Eoin McKiernan, internationally recognized Irish Studies scholar and founder of the Irish American Cultural Institute. He is credited with reviving and preserving Irish culture and language in the U.S.
The 2021 Bloomsday sponsors include the Summit Manor Wedding and Event venue, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Archbishop John Ireland Division 4, The Dubliner Pub, Irish Gazette Media, Extended Exposure and FINNEGANS.
Irish Network Minnesota (IN-MN) is a social, cultural and business network for friends of Ireland. IN-MN joins a growing national network in the United States of more than 20 chapters from New York to San Diego under the Irish Network USA umbrella with more than 4,500 members and 500 events held annually. An IN-MN membership connects you to members all over the United States and in Ireland. Visit Irish Network USA for more information.
