Happy Bloomsday!

Today is Thursday, June 16, 2011.

Happy Bloomsday!

James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, was set entirely on this day in 1904 in    Dublin, Ireland, following the travails of Leopold Bloom. Joyce fans widely celebrate this day as Bloomsday with readings from the book, dramatizations and pub-crawls.

Bloonsday Festival, Dublin
June 16, 2008

Tami and I celebrated Bloomsday in this fashion on June 16th, 2008 in Dublin.

We enjoyed the festival and a pint at the Brazen Head which Joyce was know to frequent.

Bernie and Tami celebrating Bloomsday at the Brazen Head...
Ireland's oldest pub... established in 1198 AD.

Janes Joyce
Statue
Dublin

James Joyce famously referenced The Brazen Head in his book Ulysses:

"Corley, at the first go-off, was inclined to suspect it was something to do with Stephen being fired out of his digs for bringing a bloody tart off the street. There was a dosshouse in Marlborough street, Mrs Maloney's, but it was only a tanner touch and full of undesirables but M'Conachie told him you got a decent enough do in the Brazen Head over in Winetavern street..."

"Irish Stew and a Pint"

"Irish Stew and a Pint"... 14x11" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

Tami and I had our first Pub Grub and pint in Ireland's oldest pub...The Brazen Head... in Dublin. In my American mindset I think of anything over 100 years to be old... well that bubble was burst as we enjoyed ourselves in the Brazen Head which has been a pub since 1198AD. WOW... now that's OLD!

The pub is a short walk from Christ Church Cathedral and The Guinness Brewery and is well worth a visit for both its historic value and reputation as one of Dublin's best Irish music venues.

While it is unclear how much of the original 11th century coach house is still intact, there is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls. If you are looking for the true Irish pub experience then the Brazen Head Pub should be your first port of call as it was ours.

It was one of James Joyce's favs and was featured in his famous book 'Ulysses'.

The Brazen Head has managed to retain the charm and characteristics of it's past and in particular it's patrons, who have included such literaries as James Joyce, Brendan Behan and Jonathan Swift as well as such revolutionaries as Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins.

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Today the patrons still include some famous faces, including some very famous musicians like Van Morrison, Hothouse Flowers, Mary Black and Garth Brooks...

not to mention... two jovial Americans... US... Sláinte!

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Check out this video ad for the Brazen Head...

http://www.brazenhead.com/video.html

"Waiting for the Hen Party"

"Waiting for the Hen Party"... 30x20" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

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This scene is set beneath the Irish flag at the Eamonn Doran's Pub in Dublin, Ireland. I saw this young woman outside in the rain and immediately thought of the title for this painting... "Waiting for the Hen Party". The Irish Hen Party (equivalent to our Bachelorette parties) seemed to be the order of the day... or night I should say. Tami and I witnessed several groups of young ladies dressed in "Hen Party Garb" partying throughout the pubs of Dublin. What amazed me most was how those young women managed to walk on the cobbled stone streets in high heels... especially after a pint or two or three!

"Saturday Night at The Turks Head"... Dublin, Ireland

"Saturday Night at The Turks Head", Dublin, Ireland... 22x28" Oil on stretched canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

The Temple Bar District in Dublin is a HAPPENING place! The local Public Meeting Establishments (Pubs) are a way of life... good friends, good music, good brew, and good craic can be found at every turn. The Turks Head (est. 1760) is one such place!

Ha' penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

Ha' penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland.. 16x20" Oil on stretched canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

This is the best known of Dublin's bridges. It was built in 1816 and was the first iron bridge in Ireland. It is a single span structure with cast iron railings and decorative lamps and crosses the River Liffey. It was originally named the Liffey Bridge but is now called the Ha'penny because until 1919 to cross it there was a half-penny charge.

Tami and I must have crossed this Dublin landmark a hundred times (for FREE) in our three day stay there. It was so strange to see it finally get dark around 11 o'clock at night... this was painted from a photo I took... proof that we really stayed out LATE that night.

As you cross the Ha'penny bridge you enter the Temple Bar district through the Merchant's Arch which can be seen in this painting. The Merchant's Arch is a formal entry point to the area and dates from the days when ships sailed up the River Liffey to dock here and trade with local merchants.

Video of HA'PENNY BRIDGE Dublin Ireland set to U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"


Video... Ha Penny Bridge on St. Paddy's Day