The bicycles rounded St Stephen's Green. Messenger boys in striped aprons doffed their caps and ladies in feathered hats showed their ankles for the whistling jarveys.
Bloomsday celebrations went ahead yesterday in many venues around Dublin city despite the cancellation of annual events at the James Joyce Centre, North Great George's Street, as a mark of respect to the late Charles Haughey.
The annual Messenger Bike Rally took off from the green at 10.30am and toured the capital, visiting two hostelries along the way before arriving for lunch at the Mansion House. It raised €60,000 for the Irish Youth Foundation in the process.
Kidneys were eaten in Caviston's in Glasthule, Co Dublin from 7.30am onwards, and from 9am there were readings of Ulysses at the James Joyce Tower in Sandycove.
At Davy Byrne's a lunchtime crowd gathered to eat Gorgonzola and other Bloomsday fare.
Matt Spangler, professor of performance arts from San Jose State University, enjoyed the sunshine outside the pub on Duke Street. He visits Ireland every year and always tries to time his visit so that it coincides with June 16th.
"I like the impromptu performance, that's the best thing about it," he said. "Joyce has a reputation for being hard to read, but the performance brings it alive. It's hard to pick up the humour when you read it, but the performance brings it out. It's a funny, funny book."
John and Marianne O'Reilly from Rathgar in Dublin have been celebrating on the day for 15 years and are such keen fans that they named their daughter Joyce.
"When you're familiar with the book, and if you have the stamina, you can live it on the day," Mr O'Reilly said.
Lucia Atencia from Spain and David McLoughlin from Dublin both hired costumes and pledged to dress up again next year.
