Toronto Bloomsday

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TORONTO BLOOMSDAY 2026 - A NEW CHAPTER!

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Congratulations and a huge Thank You to RICHARD HARTE, a Bloomsday stalwart for over 20 years, who will direct the next chapter of this unique Toronto Literary Festival.

JUNE 16, 2026 - An Update

BLOOMSDAY AT THE CORLECK!

Join us at The Corleck Building on Toronto's waterfront for the 41st Annual Bloomsday Celebration on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — a joyful tribute to James Joyce and his masterpiece Ulysses.

Gather at 9:30 a.m. at Bathurst & Queens Quay West, then follow the festivities in and around The Corleck Building, Toronto's new hub for Irish arts, culture, and heritage!

Enjoy a spirited morning of Readings, Music, Songs & Merriment as we celebrate one of literature's most legendary days.

Free admission — but don't forget to bring cash for the always-popular Bloomsday Raffle!

Parking: Green P at Bathurst St. and Queens Quay West.

Transit: 509 Streetcar from Union Station stops at Queens Quay West and Bathurst.

Google Map Link to The Corleck Building, situated just east of entrance to Porter Air

FEEL FREE TO DRESS UP IN YOUR EDWARDIAN DUDS, OR WHATEVER YOU FANCY!

INFORMATION
Richard Harte, Director
harte.richard@gmail.com
416 778 8203

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Check out the 2026 Bealtaine Theatre Festival (May 21 - June 7) at the Corleck

This year's Bealtaine Festival of contemporary Irish Theatre includes:

You'll See…

Ulysses for Children?
Yes, Ulysses for Children.

James Joyce's epic story of one day in one city is brought to life in this inventive new show, bringing Ireland's most notorious book to audiences aged 8 and upwards, and to all those who haven't got around to reading it yet.

Bealtaine Theatre Festival 2026 - Canada Ireland Foundation

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WAYS WE CELEBRATED THE CENTENARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF ULYSSES FEB. 2022

* Here Comes Everybody Players, Cambridge MA with Mary Durkan as Molly Bloom

* Arts & Letters Club Toronto. History of the Toronto Bloomsday Festival. Speaker: Mary Durkan

* Women Behind Ulysses. Mary Durkan in conversation with Ambassador Eamonn McKee

* Encounters with Ulysses. A TransCanada celebration from St. John's; Montreal; Ottawa; Toronto & Vancouver, hosted by Ambassador Eamonn McKee

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Bloomsday 2018 – the cast with Mary Mgt. McMahon
Congratulations Mary Margaret on being elected MPP for the Beaches East York riding!

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Links for further Bloomsday enjoyment:

James Joyce Centre Dublin
Festival Bloomsday Montréal

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Photo: Shelagh Hughes

ReJoyce!

Framed photo top: Lionel Simmons

WHAT IS BLOOMSDAY?

Literary Holyday

Bloomsday is an international Literary Holyday celebrating James Joyce's seminal novel Ulysses in which Leopold Bloom, a Dublin Jew, and a cityful of other colourful characters go about their lives in the city of Dublin on June 16th, 1904

A romantic rendezvous

Joyce chose this particular date for Bloom's perambulations as a tribute to his wife and muse, Nora Barnacle, whom he first encountered outside Trinity College, close to Finn's Hotel where she worked as a chambermaid. Although initially mistaking him for a Norwegian sailor, she agreed to meet him. June 16^th marks their first romantic rendezvous.

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BLOOM BITES

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We proudly celebrated

A SCREENING of the Documentary Film
BLOOMSDAY WAY: THE Unveiling
TIRFF (Toronto Irish Film Festival)

at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX, 350 King West @ John St
SAT. MARCH 2, 2019

The Short Documentary celebrates the recent Unveiling of the name plaques on four lane ways in the Beach(es):
BLOOMSDAY WAY / SANDYCOVE WAY / LIFFEY WAY / STEPHEN'S GREEN WAY
named by the City of Toronto to commemorate the annual BLOOM ON THE BEACH Odyssey
(1992 - present)

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Claire's Bench

We're very pleased to announce that Claire's Bench has been installed. This memorial bench for our beloved Claire Crawford who was such a crucial part of Bloomsday for so many years is situated right on the Boardwalk along the Beach, just east of Balmy Beach, between Balsam and Beech. Situated under an overhanging tree looking out on a small cove and rocky area, it's the perfect spot to sit and contemplate.

Our installation ceremony in January 2011, which involved, among other rituals, a Blessing of the Bench with Bell's Whiskey (Claire's favourite) was a celebration of her wonderful spirit and indomitable life-force.

The inscription on the bench reads

For actress CLAIRE CRAWFORD GUINN who loved celebrating Bloomsday here on June 16^th. From all of us who loved her. ReJoyce!

Thanks to all her friends and fans whose generosity made the installation of Claire's Bench possible.
Ar dheis lamh Dé go raibh a anam – May she rest in peace

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Buck Mulligan says Hello!

We are proud to be twinned with the Glasthule & Sandycove Bloomsday Festival which takes place in Caveston's of Glasthule and Fitzgerald's of Sandycove, in the shadow of the Martello Tower immortalised in the opening chapter of Ulysses.

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An Invitation

If you would like to become involved in the BLOOMSDAY FESTIVAL, please get in touch. Volunteers in all departments are most welcome.

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Donations

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Anna Livia Productions is a registered charity. We will happily issue a Tax Receipt for all donations received, with our gratitude.

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ABSENT FRIENDS

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They may not be with us in person, but their spirit lives in our hearts. We remember the Bloomsday actors

Joyce Campion
Helena Carroll
Claire Crawford
Ingrid Heming
Sean Hewitt
Fred Kirchner
Sean Mulcahy
Hugh O'Donnell
Philomena Plunkett

We remember our faithful Bloomsday supporters

Peggy Delaney
Diana Dennis
Peter Harris
Jane Kennedy
Owen McCreery
Joe McGann
Philip Turk
David Wilkinson

May their generous souls rest in peace.

ReJoyce!

Bloomsday Co-Directors: Mary Durkan & Richard Harte
Bloomsday Information: 416.365.7877
Bloomsday Email: harte.richard@gmail.com
durkanmary1@gmail.com

Bloomsday Festival Founders: Mary Durkan & Judith McGilligan (1986)

ANNA LIVIA PRODUCTIONS
Artistic Director: Mary Durkan
Information: 416.365.7877
Email: livia@pathcom.com

Website: Einar Haeh



HOME \| PHOTO GALLERY \| BLOOMSDAYS PAST \| ACCESSIBILITY \| YOUTUBE \| CONTACT
******************************************** TORONTO BLOOMSDAY 2026 - A NEW CHAPTER! ****************************************** Congratulations and a huge Thank You to RICHARD HARTE, a Bloomsday stalwart for over 20 years, who will direct the next chapter of this unique Toronto Literary Festival. JUNE 16, 2026 - An Update BLOOMSDAY AT THE CORLECK! Join us at The Corleck Building on Toronto's waterfront for the 41st Annual Bloomsday Celebration on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — a joyful tribute to James Joyce and his masterpiece Ulysses. Gather at 9:30 a.m. at Bathurst & Queens Quay West, then follow the festivities in and around The Corleck Building, Toronto's new hub for Irish arts, culture, and heritage! Enjoy a spirited morning of Readings, Music, Songs & Merriment as we celebrate one of literature's most legendary days. Free admission — but don't forget to bring cash for the always-popular Bloomsday Raffle! Parking: Green P at Bathurst St. and Queens Quay West. Transit: 509 Streetcar from Union Station stops at Queens Quay West and Bathurst. Google Map Link to The Corleck Building, situated just east of entrance to Porter Air FEEL FREE TO DRESS UP IN YOUR EDWARDIAN DUDS, OR WHATEVER YOU FANCY! INFORMATION Richard Harte, Director harte.richard@gmail.com 416 778 8203 ************************ Check out the 2026 Bealtaine Theatre Festival (May 21 - June 7) at the Corleck This year's Bealtaine Festival of contemporary Irish Theatre includes: You'll See… Ulysses for Children? Yes, Ulysses for Children. James Joyce's epic story of one day in one city is brought to life in this inventive new show, bringing Ireland's most notorious book to audiences aged 8 and upwards, and to all those who haven't got around to reading it yet. Bealtaine Theatre Festival 2026 - Canada Ireland Foundation ************************ ************************** WAYS WE CELEBRATED THE CENTENARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF ULYSSES FEB. 2022 * Here Comes Everybody Players, Cambridge MA with Mary Durkan as Molly Bloom * Arts & Letters Club Toronto. History of the Toronto Bloomsday Festival. Speaker: Mary Durkan * Women Behind Ulysses. Mary Durkan in conversation with Ambassador Eamonn McKee * Encounters with Ulysses. A TransCanada celebration from St. John's; Montreal; Ottawa; Toronto & Vancouver, hosted by Ambassador Eamonn McKee ************************** Bloomsday 2018 – the cast with Mary Mgt. McMahon Congratulations Mary Margaret on being elected MPP for the Beaches East York riding! ************************ Links for further Bloomsday enjoyment: James Joyce Centre Dublin Festival Bloomsday Montréal ************************ Photo: Shelagh Hughes ReJoyce!** Framed photo top: Lionel Simmons	*WHAT IS BLOOMSDAY?* Literary Holyday Bloomsday is an international Literary Holyday celebrating James Joyce's seminal novel *Ulysses* in which Leopold Bloom, a Dublin Jew, and a cityful of other colourful characters go about their lives in the city of Dublin on June 16th, 1904 A romantic rendezvous Joyce chose this particular date for Bloom's perambulations as a tribute to his wife and muse, Nora Barnacle, whom he first encountered outside Trinity College, close to Finn's Hotel where she worked as a chambermaid. Although initially mistaking him for a Norwegian sailor, she agreed to meet him. June 16^th marks their first romantic rendezvous. ******************************************** BLOOM BITES ****************************************** We proudly celebrated A SCREENING of the Documentary Film BLOOMSDAY WAY: THE Unveiling TIRFF (Toronto Irish Film Festival) at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX, 350 King West @ John St SAT. MARCH 2, 2019 The Short Documentary celebrates the recent Unveiling of the name plaques on four lane ways in the Beach(es): BLOOMSDAY WAY / SANDYCOVE WAY / LIFFEY WAY / STEPHEN'S GREEN WAY named by the City of Toronto to commemorate the annual BLOOM ON THE BEACH Odyssey (1992 - present) ****************************************** Claire's Bench We're very pleased to announce that Claire's Bench has been installed. This memorial bench for our beloved Claire Crawford who was such a crucial part of Bloomsday for so many years is situated right on the Boardwalk along the Beach, just east of Balmy Beach, between Balsam and Beech. Situated under an overhanging tree looking out on a small cove and rocky area, it's the perfect spot to sit and contemplate. Our installation ceremony in January 2011, which involved, among other rituals, a Blessing of the Bench with Bell's Whiskey (Claire's favourite) was a celebration of her wonderful spirit and indomitable life-force. The inscription on the bench reads For actress CLAIRE CRAWFORD GUINN who loved celebrating Bloomsday here on June 16^th. From all of us who loved her. ReJoyce! Thanks to all her friends and fans whose generosity made the installation of Claire's Bench possible. Ar dheis lamh Dé go raibh a anam – May she rest in peace ****************************************** Buck Mulligan says Hello! We are proud to be twinned with the Glasthule & Sandycove Bloomsday Festival which takes place in Caveston's of Glasthule and Fitzgerald's of Sandycove, in the shadow of the Martello Tower immortalised in the opening chapter of Ulysses. ****************************************** An Invitation If you would like to become involved in the BLOOMSDAY FESTIVAL, please get in touch. Volunteers in all departments are most welcome. ****************************************** Donations ****************************************** Anna Livia Productions is a registered charity. We will happily issue a Tax Receipt for all donations received, with our gratitude. ****************************************** ABSENT FRIENDS ****************************************** They may not be with us in person, but their spirit lives in our hearts. We remember the Bloomsday actors Joyce Campion Helena Carroll Claire Crawford Ingrid Heming Sean Hewitt Fred Kirchner Sean Mulcahy Hugh O'Donnell Philomena Plunkett We remember our faithful Bloomsday supporters Peggy Delaney Diana Dennis Peter Harris Jane Kennedy Owen McCreery Joe McGann Philip Turk David Wilkinson May their generous souls rest in peace. ReJoyce! Bloomsday Co-Directors: Mary Durkan & Richard Harte Bloomsday Information: 416.365.7877** Bloomsday Email: harte.richard@gmail.com durkanmary1@gmail.com Bloomsday Festival Founders: Mary Durkan & Judith McGilligan (1986) ANNA LIVIA PRODUCTIONS Artistic Director: Mary Durkan Information: 416.365.7877 Email: livia@pathcom.com Website: Einar Haeh