Photography

Bloomsday 2025 in pictures: Dublin comes alive for Joycean celebrations

Bright colours, fine clothing and lots of smiles as Dublin celebrates Ulysses

Eddie Bohan (front left) with Philip Murphy and Mary O'Neill Byrne at the the Joyce Bench in Ringsend Park in Dublin, where James Joyce and his future wife Nora Barnacle had their first date. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Eddie Bohan (front left) with Philip Murphy and Mary O'Neill Byrne at the the Joyce Bench in Ringsend Park in Dublin, where James Joyce and his future wife Nora Barnacle had their first date. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Mon Jun 16 2025 - 16:32

Bloomsday, the celebration of James Joyce’s literary masterpiece Ulysses, was celebrated in Dublin today.

Named after its anti-hero, Leopold Bloom, and based on his all-day meanderings around Dublin on June 16th, 1904, it has been celebrated annually since 1994 with breakfasts, public readings from the book and the donning of the finest of Edwardian clothing.

John O’Reilly and his wife Marianne O’Reilly on their way to a Bloomsday breakfast in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
John O’Reilly and his wife Marianne O’Reilly on their way to a Bloomsday breakfast in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Singer Simon Morgan (right) and other performers prepare behind the scenes at the Bloomsday breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
Singer Simon Morgan (right) and other performers prepare behind the scenes at the Bloomsday breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
People gather at the table for Bloomsday Breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
People gather at the table for Bloomsday Breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
Simon Morgan sings for the audience at the Bloomsday breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
Simon Morgan sings for the audience at the Bloomsday breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
Baby Nova Forbes enjoying the Bloomsday breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
Baby Nova Forbes enjoying the Bloomsday breakfast in Belvedere College, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison
(L-R) Carol Reynolds, Sheena Bourke, Marian Finn, Carol O’Neill, Louise Whelan, Margaret Gray, Rosemary Phipps and Yvonne Rossiter in Ringsend Park, the location of James Joyce's first date with his future wife, Nora Barnacle. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
(L-R) Carol Reynolds, Sheena Bourke, Marian Finn, Carol O’Neill, Louise Whelan, Margaret Gray, Rosemary Phipps and Yvonne Rossiter in Ringsend Park, the location of James Joyce's first date with his future wife, Nora Barnacle. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Philip Murphy and Mary O'Neill Byrne at the Joyce Bench in Ringsend Park, Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Philip Murphy and Mary O'Neill Byrne at the Joyce Bench in Ringsend Park, Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Brendan Byrne plays the ukulele in Kennedy’s, Westland Row, Dublin, during Bloomsday breakfast. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Brendan Byrne plays the ukulele in Kennedy’s, Westland Row, Dublin, during Bloomsday breakfast. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Carole Ward and Liz Kinch enjoying the Bloomsday festivities on Duke Street, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Carole Ward and Liz Kinch enjoying the Bloomsday festivities on Duke Street, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Lisa Tonello from Italy and Issa Ali from Dublin celebrate Bloomsday in Kennedy’s, Westland Row, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Lisa Tonello from Italy and Issa Ali from Dublin celebrate Bloomsday in Kennedy’s, Westland Row, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
A group of friends dressed up for Bloomsday on Duke Street, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
A group of friends dressed up for Bloomsday on Duke Street, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Raychel O’Connell and her son Tadhg in Bloomsday attire on Duke Street, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Raychel O’Connell and her son Tadhg in Bloomsday attire on Duke Street, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Paddy Keogh at Kennedy’s, Westland Row, Dublin, for Bloomsday breakfast. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Paddy Keogh at Kennedy’s, Westland Row, Dublin, for Bloomsday breakfast. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times