Royal Canal Odyssey to honour Mullingar connection with James Joyce
A group of runners from Blackrock AC in Dublin are travelling the 100km from the James Joyce Tower in Sandycove to the Joe Dolan statue in Mullingar on Saturday, June 14.
They set off at 6am from Joyce Tower Museum in Sandycove and trace the footsteps of Leopold Bloom, taking in several Ulysses and Joycean landmarks across Dublin, before joining the Royal Canal, where they will "reflect on Joyce’s rich connection with Mullingar", said a spokesperson.
"We expect to arrive at Market Square, Mullingar at approximately 5pm, where we’ll be welcomed by the cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Liam McDaniels.
"A few short words will bring this inaugural Odyssey to a close, followed by light refreshments in the Ulysses Bar at the Greville Arms – a spot Joyce himself is said to have frequented."
The event is open to all, and16 clubs are taking part, along with walkers, cyclists and individual runners.
“On the day we will be sharing a live tracker link on our Facebook page, and posting some updates on Bluesky as well, and we encourage everyone to keep an eye on both.
“We are all so excited about this adventure, none more so than our member Donal, who is a Castlepollard man."