Mountjoy Square and the childhood imagination of James Joyce

To mark the birthday of James Joyce on 2nd February, this special walking tour will take you around the Mountjoy Square area, exploring the childhood neighbourhood of Joyce and how his early imagination and education were shaped here

We'll make stops at three different houses that Joyce lived in: two on North Circular Road, just off the Square, and another on Fitzgibbon Street. You'll also visit the evocative Araby House on North Richmond Street, the setting for his famous romantic short story from his collection Dubliners. Joyce briefly attended the Christian Brothers school next door.

Our journey continues to the former Sheehy house at No. 4 Belvedere Place, just off the Square. This was the home of Irish MP David Sheehy, and his daughter Mary was very close to the young Joyce. Imagine Joyce coming here after school from nearby Belvedere College for cultural soirees with the Sheehy family, including music recitals. Nearby, we'll also see a house where Joyce's sisters lived.

The tour will also discuss Ulysses and the appearance of this area in Joyce's great novel. This includes the famous walk across Mountjoy Square by Father John Conmee, who departs the Jesuit residence on Gardiner Street (beside the wonderful church) and is heading towards the North Strand to board the Howth tram. We'll retrace Father Conmee's steps for at least some of the journey, as we explore the world of Joyce, North Dublin, history, and literature.

This will be an enjoyable and entertaining hour and a half, filled with many fascinating stories and readings throughout. Join us to walk in the footsteps of a literary giant this Bloomsday!

Eamon Delaney is an author, historian and tour guide. Check the link below to his history project : The Lion and the Shamrock – The legacy of history, families and the community https://thelionandtheshamrock.com/

Meeting point : Catholic Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street Upper, Dublin 1, DUBLIN