James Joyce Royal Canal Odyssey returns to Mullingar

The James Joyce Royal Canal Odyssey returns on Saturday 13 June, and participants will again make the journey from Sandycove to Mullingar along the Royal Canal.

The Bloomsday-inspired event begins at the James Joyce Tower in Sandycove at 6am and brings together runners, walkers and cyclists to take part in different sections of the route throughout the day, ranging from 5km up to the full 100km+ journey to Mullingar.

Inspired by the spirit of Ulysses and the sense of adventure and connection that runs through Joyce’s work, the event has grown into a unique community-driven experience that combines endurance, culture and social participation along one of Ireland’s most historic waterways.

Mullingar holds a particularly strong place in Joyce’s wider literary imagination, making it a fitting endpoint for the journey. Local participants, including Mullingar woman Cathy Timlin, will join along the route for the final stretch into the town.

One of the things that makes the event accessible is the number of train stations along the canal route, allowing people to join for whatever section suits them before travelling home or continuing on to Mullingar for the evening celebrations.

Participation is free and registration is open now at royalcanalodyssey.ie; optional commemorative T-shirts are available.