In the late 1980's, UCSD Professor, Dr. Patrick Ledden, a mathematician by training and James Joyce scholar by choice, proposed the idea of having a day-long reading on campus of the novel, Ulysses, on June 16th to celebrate Bloomsday. Students, faculty, staff, and interested members of the community read the novel in half hour blocks throughout the day, taking short breaks for Irish food and music performances. This Bloomsday celebration took place for several years and then was discontinued.
In 2003, a dedicated group of UCSD professors from a wide variety of disciplines, joined in their love of Joyce, revived the Bloomsday tradition with a lively celebration that included readings from the novel, live Irish music, a multimedia slide show of Dublin, food, drink, and commentary from several professors, including Dr. Ledden, Dr. Harry Powell, and Dr. Larry Brunton. The evening closed with a sing-a-long of the Irish tune, "Love's Old Sweet Song" and a promise to organize a big celebration for the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday on June 16th, 2004. Tragically, Dr. Patrick Ledden passed away on October 28, 2003 after a battle against cancer. We consider Dr. Ledden our Bloomsday "guardian angel" and dedicate all future celebrations to him.
View our schedule of events. If you would like to attend, please contact the UCSD Faculty Club at 858-534-0876, by Wednesday, June 13, 2006, so that you are assured of a seat and meal. Space for lunch is limited to 75. Payment (cash, check or credit card) must be received by June 13th.
See photographs of our Bloomsday San Diego 2006 celebration!