Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
167 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the plans being made to commemorate Bloomsday on 13 June 2004, in view of the fact that it is the 100th anniversary; the plans for the special Bloomsday breakfast that will take place on O’Connell Street, Dublin; the efforts being made to promote Bloomsday as an important day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10653/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast year I established the Bloomsday Centenary Co-ordinating Committee, whose remit is to co-ordinate the appropriate plans of the many literary and cultural organisations that intend to arrange special Bloomsday centenary events, and thereby achieve a major festive celebration of the centenary of this fictitious day in literature. A festival of over 50 events spanning five months has resulted, that is being promoted under the title of "ReJoyce — Dublin 2004". It is being marketed worldwide as a major cultural tourism festival and has already received significant interest and extensive coverage in the national and foreign media.
Plans are well advanced for the Bloomsday breakfast, which will take place on O'Connell Street on the morning of Sunday 13 June, subject to the issuing of an event licence by the relevant authority. Over the course of the morning it is expected that of the order of 10,000 people will have the opportunity to enjoy a cooked breakfast supplied by Denny's, the event sponsor, in addition to other attractions along the city's main thoroughfare.
The full event calendar of the festival is available at the dedicated website for the festival —www.rejoycedublin2004.com.
