Thursday Doors: James Joyce in Dublin
Posted on: September 1, 2023
- In: Books | Inspiration | quotes | Travel | Writing
- 86 Comments
One of the reasons I wanted to visit Dublin was to walk in the footsteps of James Joyce. He has often been called Dublin’s most esteemed author. I fell in love with his writing when I read The Dubliners. I was delighted to find much evidence of this prestigious author when I visited his city of birth.
Found in St. Stephen’s Green, a place he enjoyed.
I’m sure there were many places the author enjoyed a drink including Gogarty’s. I love the green doors.
This establishment was named after Oliver Joseph St. John Gogarty (17 August 1878 – 22 September 1957) who was an Irish poet, author, surgeon, athlete, politician, and well-known conversationalist. He was friends with James Joyce and served as the inspiration for Buck Mulligan in James Joyce‘s novel Ulysses.
The two writers having a discussion at the pub. Wouldn’t you have liked to be a fly on the wall?
I also visited The Museum of Literature of Ireland (MOLI), which holds a permanent collection of James Joyce-related material and revolving exhibitions of other Irish literary figures. This was a fascinating place.
The museum is housed in the Newman House, previously the University College of Dublin attended by James Joyce.
This was in a letter from James Joyce to a friend. For all struggling authors, it wasn’t easy for him either!
I was delighted to see “Copy No. 1” of Ulysses. So amazing!
As was his scribbles for Finnegans Wake
The lovely gardens of the museum where I had my lunch. I felt surrounded by greatness and left inspired.
An entire wall of Irish authors in the 20th and 21st Century. Many I recognized. James Joyce is said to have influenced many of today’s Irish writers. Such a creative country, the winner of 4 Nobel Prizes in Literature.
Whether you like his work or not, James Joyce was a wise man who made a huge impact in the world of literature. I was happy to have felt his presence. And I didn’t get to see everything related to him.
Thursday Doors is a weekly challenge featured on Dan Antion’s site No Facility for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post and then share a link to your post in the comments of Dan’s post.
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86 Responses to "Thursday Doors: James Joyce in Dublin"
September 1, 2023 at 3:53 am
Wonderful doors, Darlene! The photos and information are all great. Can you imagine sitting at the next table while that conversation was happening? I love that quote at the end. Thanks for this great post!
September 1, 2023 at 3:53 am
Such gorgeous doors and scenes.
September 1, 2023 at 3:55 am
I would have LOVED to listen in on a conversation between Gogarty and Joyce!
September 1, 2023 at 4:23 am
His brain was something to behold. The connections he made–stunning. I tried, but usually got lost. Love that you admire him.
September 1, 2023 at 4:57 am
He is not easy reading, I know. I did love Dubliners though. His life is as interesting as the stories he told.
September 1, 2023 at 4:26 am
I don’t know why but I’ve never been able to get through words and thoughts if Joyce and T S Eliot.
September 1, 2023 at 4:58 am
Many people feel that way, Carl. He did experiment with words and style.
September 1, 2023 at 4:44 am
What a great trip, Darlene. So many ‘doors’ into Joyce’s life and work…
September 1, 2023 at 5:00 am
Thanks, Steve. It was great to be in his city, although he didn’t live there later on.
September 1, 2023 at 5:33 am
I enjoyed meeting up with you and James in Dublin, Darlene!!!
September 1, 2023 at 7:14 am
It was great to have you on board. Glad you enjoyed the virtual tour.
September 1, 2023 at 5:52 am
Thanks Darlene for the trip around Dublin with James Joyce.
September 1, 2023 at 5:58 am
Thanks for sharing the pictures – and that terrific quote!
September 1, 2023 at 6:38 am
Thanks for bringing me to a place I’d love to visit, but not sure when/how. At least I feel like I’ve been there, thanks to your photos and text. I’m impressed you like Joyce’s writing. It’s rather intense – I just couldn’t get into Ulysses (confession!).
September 1, 2023 at 7:23 am
There are many who could not get into Ulysses, and I haven’t read it (yet). But I loved Dubliners for its raw honesty. Life isn’t always perfect and there isn’t always a HEA. I’m glad you enjoyed visiting Dublin with me. xo
September 1, 2023 at 6:42 am
Thank you for the lovely tour, Darlene. I’m so glad you were able to do it.
September 1, 2023 at 7:25 am
Thanks, John. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I was given the opportunity to visit this remarkable place.
September 1, 2023 at 8:14 am
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation. The Dubliners is my favorite of Joyce’s books.
September 1, 2023 at 8:24 am
Fascinating. Wish I could read the chicken scratch. Love the pics and history
September 1, 2023 at 4:38 pm
I know, Cindy. If you enlarge the picture you can make out a few words. Glad you enjoyed the post.
September 1, 2023 at 8:51 am
I’m certain I saw a statue of James Joyce in Dublin, but I don’t remember any doors.
The volume of Ulysses by Joyce caught my eye because it reminded me of the fragment of a poem also entitled “Ulysses” but by Tennyson: “I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees: . . .
I am a part of all that I have met;”
I believe that describes you, Darlene. 😀
September 1, 2023 at 4:39 pm
That is wonderful! Thanks so much Marian. I believe there are a few statues of James Joyce in Dublin, I only saw the one in the park.
September 1, 2023 at 10:42 am
Which is your favorite work by James Joyce?
September 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Dubliners is the one I like the best. I must admit I haven’t read Ulysses.
September 1, 2023 at 11:22 pm
Thanks for the recommendation. I think I’ve only read short excerpts of his work.
September 1, 2023 at 12:37 pm
Wonderful to learn more about him. Great post.
September 1, 2023 at 4:42 pm
The museum provided a good, comprehensive time line of his life which was interesting. Also some photographs documenting his life. It was worth the visit.
September 1, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Thank you for the virtual tour of Dublin some great doors 🙂
September 1, 2023 at 8:25 pm
A fine memorial tour. A Portrait of the Artist….. got me into Joyce. I only managed 200 pages of Finnegan’s Wake 🙂
September 1, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Thanks, Derrick. From what I understand, Finnegans Wake is the most difficult to read.
September 1, 2023 at 9:33 pm
I’ve been to Dublin a few times and must confess I haven’t tried any James Joyce related journeys. Sounds like a good reason to return! Thank-you.
September 1, 2023 at 9:39 pm
The Museum of Literature is fairly new. It opened in 2019. You would enjoy it. I wanted to visit the James Joyce Museum but ran out of time. Perhaps next time.
September 2, 2023 at 12:29 am
Wonderful trip and amazing doors, Darlene. Thanks for sharing…
September 2, 2023 at 1:51 am
Thanks, Lauren. So pleased you enjoyed the post.
September 2, 2023 at 1:57 am
I did, and since I’m not sure if I’ll get to Dublin, I’ll just travel vicariously through your posts. 🙂 xo
September 2, 2023 at 2:47 am
Great pictures, Darlene! What an amazing experience 🙂 xo
September 2, 2023 at 5:16 am
What a fun excursion, Darlene! I loved the doors AND windows of Gogarty’s bar. And I love the James Joyce quote you shared at the end, too. So, so true!
September 2, 2023 at 7:11 am
That quote is so true. We think it is a modern way of thinking but he said this almost 100 years ago!
September 2, 2023 at 7:09 am
I can feel your excitement, Darlene. Being there there to witness his books and writings must have made his presence come alive, so to speak. And, the doors are wonderful! Love the pubs!
September 2, 2023 at 7:13 am
The pubs were amazing and each one unique. I should have taken more pub pictures. I actually stumbled upon Gogarty’s while looking for something else. Isn’t that the best way.
September 2, 2023 at 12:06 pm
I love the photos and to have learned more about these authors. Thanks for sharing!
September 2, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Hi, Darlene – How have I not yet read anything by James Joyce? I will definitely seek to change this!
September 2, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Start with Dubliners. Short stories that exemplify life n Dublin in the early 1900s.
September 2, 2023 at 4:38 pm
HI Darlene, an incredible visit, I understand why you felt inspired.
September 2, 2023 at 9:22 pm
What an interesting post and wonderful tribute to James Joyce. You know, I don’t think I’ve read anything by him yet. I really must. Thanks for the reminder.
September 2, 2023 at 10:01 pm
It’s always good to pick up a classic once in a while. I’m currently reading, for the first time, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It is amazing.
September 6, 2023 at 8:27 pm
I’m pleased you’re enjoying it, Darlene. I haven’t read that series either. Perhaps I should put them on the list too. 😊
September 6, 2023 at 11:13 pm
I read The Hobbit a few years back and loved it but was intimidated by LOTR for some reason. But it is actually a very easy read.
September 3, 2023 at 2:46 am
Thank you for sharing, Darlene. I wish I would have had one more day in Dublin on my recent visit. I would have loved to toured these places!
September 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
I had two full days and still didn’t see everything I wanted to. We need to return one day!
September 3, 2023 at 3:58 am
Darlene, this was great how you combined the doors with the tour of Joyce’s Dublin.
September 3, 2023 at 11:55 am
What a thrill that must have been to walk in the footsteps of James Joyce! Why did his publisher (and printer!) find Dubliners objectionable? It’s brilliant. “Araby” is one of my all-time favorite short stories.
September 3, 2023 at 5:34 pm
I know. I love Dubliners too. My favourite story is The Dead, but they were all good. Joyce had a very different style for the time and perhaps the publisher didn’t think people would buy the book. (You know how publishers are!) It was a thrill to know he walked those streets. There is a picture of him and his fellow students under a tree on the campus of UCD in the museum. The tree is still in the garden! Gave me a chill.
September 3, 2023 at 11:52 pm
“The Dead” comes a very close second to “Araby.” The publisher’s and printer’s reactions still seem extreme to me. (Now I want to reread the book!)
September 5, 2023 at 1:27 am
How fun to retrace some of James Joyce’s footprints and visit the city where he was born. Makes me want to finally read Ulysses.
September 5, 2023 at 1:54 am
Thanks. It was fun to be in his city. He is well respected there.
September 5, 2023 at 5:42 pm
I’m with you about green doors and what a memorable trip for you.
November 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Another memorable visit! I love the thought of visiting Dublin, yet I am embarrassed that I have not read James Joyce. At least not up to this point ……. on my book exploration list, though!
November 3, 2023 at 6:20 pm
I would start with The Dubliners as some of the others are a bit tough to get through. I only just started reading Lord of The Rings. There are so many great books and so little time!
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September 1, 2023 at 3:52 am
It looks like such a wonderful trip. Thank you for sharing.
September 1, 2023 at 3:57 am
It was. Every time I turned a corner, I found something interesting.