Kelly and Dermot are joined by translator Kenji Hayakawa to discuss the gargantuan task of translating Finnegans Wake into Japanese. We discuss Naoki Yanase's translation of Joyce's classic novel into Japanese, creating special software Japanese characters to tackle Joyce's various coinages, why Japanese is an ideal language in which to read Finnegans Wake, why only translators truly understand Finnegans Wake, the sadism of Finnegans Wake, the influence of Harriet Shaw Weaver, and how Finnegans ...
Jan 15, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 34
Stephen contemplates the horror of a visit to his Aunt Sara and Uncle Richie's house. We discuss parallels in this scene with Joyce's real life aunt and uncle, why Joyce's Aunt Josephine gave away her first edition of Ulysses, the intractable Dubliner/culchie divide, middle class pretension, Hiberno-English, Wilde's Requiescat , and the difficulty of parsing conversations written in Joyce's signature stream of consciousness. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark alive. Please...
Jan 01, 2020•46 min•Ep. 33
Dermot and Kelly get an insider's view of the Sandycove Martello Tower - the Omphalos of Dublin itself! Maggie Fitzgerald, James Holohan and Andrew Basquille give Blooms & Barnacles a tour of all the museum's nooks and crannies. Discussions include the Joycean historical items on display in the museum, the history of the tower, what really went down the night Joyce stormed out of the museum, how to get a milk can up a ladder, the work of maintaining a Joycean landmark, an original song by An...
Dec 21, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 32
Let's have fun with consubstantiality! Kelly and Dermot untangle Stephen Dedalus' thoughts on the dual nature of God the Father and God the Son, the Nicene Creed, the difference between being made and being begotten, the death of Arius, seahorses, a shocking fact about the Star Wars cantina and an even more shocking fact about the symbolism of doves. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark afloat. Please subscribe ! On the blog: Decoding Dedalus: Omphalos Decoding Dedalus: Here...
Dec 04, 2019•42 min•Ep. 31
Blooms & Barnacles catches up with P.J. Murphy and Jack Walsh of Sweny's Pharmacy in Dublin, the location where Leopold Bloom bought his lemon soap in Ulysses . In addition to P.J. and Jack, we had the chance to talk to many friend's of Sweny's from all over the world! Topics include the future of Sweny's Pharmacy, why you should visit Sweny's on Christmas, the repatriation of Joyce's remains to Ireland, the purchase of "The Dead" house , a reading from Ulysses in Turkish, the international ...
Nov 20, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 30
In this installment of Blooms & Barnacles, Kelly and Dermot engage in some good, old-fashioned navel gazing. Discussion topics include working class life in Edwardian Dublin, the poetry of Algernon Swinburne the perils of childbirth during the same period, whether Adam and Eve had bellybuttons, and why Kelly thinks people in antiquity had predominantly outie bellybuttons. They also get to the bottom of what exactly the heck an omphalos is and why everyone keeps talking about them. Sweny's Pa...
Nov 06, 2019•59 min•Ep. 29
Ineluctable modality of the animated! Get to know your favorite Irish host of Blooms and Barnacles - Dermot O Connor. Kelly and Dermot talk about his work as the illustrator of the Blooms and Barnacles blog, how to illustrate a blog about Ulysses when you've never read Ulysses, artistic influences and inspirations, working for Don Bluth and Disney, what every American should know about Ireland and what every Irish person should know about America. Find Dermot's art and animation at www.angryanim...
Oct 23, 2019•53 min•Ep. 28
Real talk: why are there no seagulls on Sandymount Strand on Bloomsday? Have we stumbled onto a historical seagull-based conspiracy? Stay tuned to find out! Additionally, we'll also continue discussing how Stephen's walk on the beach is influenced by Berkeleyan idealism, Stephen's perception of space and time, how blind people perceive the world and the Demiurge. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark afloat. Please subscribe ! On the blog: Decoding Dedalus: Ineluctable Modali...
Oct 10, 2019•54 min•Ep. 27
Ineluctable modality of the podcast! A discussion of the first paragraph of "Proteus," in which Kelly and Dermot try to make sense of Stephen's untethered inner monologue. We discuss Aristotle's theory of vision, Bishop George's Berkeley's mistrust of sense perception, an interpretation of a famous meme, who Jakob Boehme was and what he meant by "signature of all things." This episode will leave you with a pleasing sense of superiority over your friends. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous...
Sep 25, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 26
The time has come for Blooms & Barnacles to tackle Ulysses' third episode - "Proteus"! This is Ulysses' first "difficult" episode - jam-packed with multiple languages and obscure references. This week's podcast gives an overview of many of the themes found in "Proteus," including its connection to The Odyssey, the influence of esoteric doctrines on the text and Joyce's love of writing in multiple languages. With guest star, Emma the cat. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landm...
Sep 11, 2019•48 min•Ep. 25
Blooms and Barnacles' series on Mr. Deasy and "Nestor" comes to a close with a discussion of the old headmaster's biased views of women's negative impact on history. The relative culpability of four woman accused of causing history's great evils is explored, along with what exactly Stephen means when he refers to God as a "shout in the street." Please consider contributing my friend Nik's Go Fund Me to help cover his expenses for a serious head injury. Any contribution large or small is apprecia...
Aug 26, 2019•54 min•Ep. 24
Kelly and Dermot deconstruct the nightmare of history shared by the Irish and the Jews alike. We further explore the intricacies of Mr. Deasy's bigotry and what it tells us about what life was like in 1900's Dublin. Other topics covered include one possible source of Joyce's hatred of Gogarty, the correlation of antisemitism and nationalism and the legend of the Wandering Jew and its influence on Ulysses. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark afloat. Please subscribe ! On the...
Aug 15, 2019•51 min•Ep. 23
Per vias rectas ! Mr. Deasy's origins - revealed! Kelly and Dermot dive into Joyce's real life acquaintances and experiences that inspired the gruff headmaster Mr. Deasy in Ulysses ' second episode, "Nestor." Topics covered include why Mr. Deasy is so concerned about foot and mouth disease, the relative rebelliousness of voting in favor of the Union and why Mr. Deasy seems to be unaware of his own history, even though he's so proud of it. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark...
Aug 01, 2019•41 min•Ep. 22
This week, Kelly and Dermot explain the nightmarish history tucked into Stephen's terse rebuttal of Mr. Deasy's weak grasp of Irish history. The passage covered can be found on p. 31 of Kelly's edition of Ulysses (1990 Vintage International). Topics covered include the history of the Orange Order, the Battle of the Diamond, the Planters' Covenant, the power of copyright law over sectarianism, and how all these issues still affect us today. The Derry Girls clip we mentioned: https://www.youtube.c...
Jul 18, 2019•48 min•Ep. 21
History is the art of Nestor, so let's immerse ourselves in the nightmare of history, at least the bits covered on p. 31 of Ulysses. Learn about Stephen's hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Mr. Deasy tries to teach Stephen a history, but (spoiler alert) he doesn't know much about history. Topics covered include Daniel O'Connell, the Orange lodges, the Famine and the Fenians. This episode covers some heavy stuff, but learning new things will make you feel like the woman in this picture. On the...
Jul 03, 2019•58 min•Ep. 20
A character study of the infamous Mr. Deasy, the headmaster of Stephen's school in "Nestor," the second episode of Ulysses. We discuss how Mr. Deasy is a stereotypical Dubliner of his day, as well as his defining characteristics (including his impressive mustache!) Mr. Deasy has a lot to teach us, though he is an old wise man archetype with no wisdom. We talk lots of history and politics in this one! Also, Kelly reveals the worst Scooby Doo character. Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Du...
Jun 19, 2019•54 min•Ep. 19
A lifelong lover of the works of Joyce, Steve Carey is an organizer of the Bloomsday celebration in Melbourne, Australia. He chats with Kelly about (briefly) meeting Richard Ellmann, the joys and travails of adapting Ulysses for the stage, a heroic battle over trousers in Tom Stoppard's Travesties, and how to get a period hearse for your Bloomsday procession. This episode is not to be missed! Sweny's Patreon is almost to its goal, but they can still use your help. Please subscribe ! Learn more a...
Jun 05, 2019•42 min•Ep. 18
Kelly and Dermot tackle the reference to Averroes and Maimonides in "Nestor." Not only does this episode cover these two philosophers and their connection to Aristotle, there's also plenty of discussion on Morris dance, Giordano Bruno and the thematic importance of goth kids. Sweny's Patreon is half-way to its goal, but they can still use your help. Please subscribe ! On the blog: Decoding Dedalus: Dark Men of Mien and Movement Social Media: Facebook | Twitter Subscribe to Blooms and Barnacles: ...
May 22, 2019•53 min•Ep. 17
A super-sized Blooms and Barnacles! Dick is a friend of Kelly's and Dermot's who is a lover of Ulysses and the music found throughout the novel. Dick talks about some of his favorite songs that play a role in Ulysses and the history behind them. We also chat about the use of music in "The Dead," the final story in The Dubliners . And because we've never met a tangent we didn't like, we also talk (briefly) about Dick's time in Turkey, Stephen's lost faith, Dick's love of the opera, and grieving o...
May 08, 2019•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 16
While begrudge as a verb exists throughout the English speaking world, begrudgery as a noun is peculiar to Ireland. Dermot and Kelly discuss what makes Irish begrudgery a unique phenomena, how it affected Dermot growing up in Ireland, and, of course, how begrudgery influenced James Joyce's life and writing. Further Reading: The Irish Times on begrudgery here and here . Sweny's Patreon is almost to its goal, but they can still use your help. Please subscribe ! Social Media: Facebook | Twitter Sub...
Apr 24, 2019•45 min•Ep. 15
Dermot and Kelly take on a point of vexation and consternation for any Ulysses fan: what the actual heck does Stephen's riddle mean? What symbolism lies within? Does he just like torturing children? We throw in some extra John Milton for good measure. Sweny's Patreon is half-way to its goal, but they can still use your help. Please subscribe ! On the blog: Stephen's Riddle Weep No More: Lycidas in Nestor Social Media: Facebook | Twitter Subscribe to Blooms and Barnacles: iTunes | Google Play Mus...
Apr 10, 2019•41 min•Ep. 14
Kelly and Dermot welcome Tom O'Leary back to the podcast to talk about the allure of nostalgia. Tom and Dermot talk about what it's actually like to be an Irish person who left their home country to seek their fortune abroad, nostalgia for their past, Americans' nostalgia for an Ireland that never was, and how Joyce's nostalgia for Ireland shaped his work. Sweny's Patreon is half-way to its goal, but they can still use your help. Please subscribe ! Social Media: Facebook | Twitter Subscribe to B...
Mar 27, 2019•53 min•Ep. 13
"One more victory like that and we're done for." Kelly and Dermot discuss the ancient Greek warrior king Pyrrhus and his relation to the excesses of the 20th century. In addition to ancient Greeks, Vico and figroll-munching children, the impact of the Easter Rising of 1916 and World War I on James Joyce and Ulysses are also discussed. Sweny's Patreon is half-way to its goal, but they can still use your help. Please subscribe ! On the Blog: Pyrrhus: A Disappointed Bridge Social Media: Facebook | ...
Mar 13, 2019•52 min•Ep. 12
On a Very Special Episode of the Blooms & Barnacles podcast - it's Dermot's first time leading an episode. He chose to interview his co-host and founder of the podcast, Kelly. He talks to her about why she's the one to teach the world about Ulysses, her insane dream to stage "Circe," her globetrotting years and how she got invited to a party by the Lord Mayor of Dublin. A different vibe than our normal show, but don't worry, it's the good kind of weird. Sweny's Patreon is half-way to its goa...
Feb 27, 2019•46 min•Ep. 11
Welcome to Episode 10, our first episode covering episode two of Ulysses, "Nestor." Kelly and Dermot discuss the political philosophy of Giambattista Vico and his influence on James Joyce, Homeric parallels between King Nestor and Mr. Deasy, and Dermot's artistic inspiration for his cartoon version of Mr. Deasy. For more information on Vico's political philosophy, we recommend the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . On the Blog: Ulysses & The Odyssey: Nestor Social Media: Facebook | Twitte...
Feb 13, 2019•46 min•Ep. 10
Kelly and Dermot discuss the recurring phrase "Agenbite of Inwit" and why Stephen repeats it over and over on June the sixteenth. Other topics included in the discussion are Buck Mulligan as nagging conscience, the gothic horror of growing up Irish, Catholic guilt and whether or not Stephen would have been better off praying at his mother's bedside. Read the Trieste notebook for free here . Consider subscribing to Sweny's Pharmacy's Patreon here . On the Blog: Agenbite of Inwit Social Media: Fac...
Jan 30, 2019•59 min•Ep. 9
Kelly and Dermot get deep talking about arch heresies, alchemy, Buck Mulligan's blasphemy, James Joyce's love of sacred music, and what the Council of Trent had in common with the classic film Footloose . Listen to The Mass for Pope Marcellus. For more info on gnosticism, Dermot recommends The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels. On the Blog: Decoding Dedalus: Heresies in "Telemachus" Social Media: Facebook | Twitter Subscribe to Blooms and Barnacles: iTunes | Google Play Music| Stitcher Further Re...
Jan 16, 2019•43 min•Ep. 8
Kelly and Dermot discuss Stephen's tower-mate, the Englishman Haines. Haines was based on a real-life roommate of James Joyce's - Dermot Chenevix Trench. Did Joyce's personal dislike of Trench color his characterization in the novel? What's up with that black panther mentioned in 'Telemachus?' Why does Dermot (our host) have bad memories of learning Irish in school? These questions and more will be answered. Other topics include: Irish identity in 1904 and now, Joyce's bad attitude, and Gogarty,...
Dec 28, 2018•47 min•Ep. 7
Kelly and Dermot talk about the allegory of the old milk woman who visits Stephen and the boys in the Martello Tower. Topics covered include Hiberno-English, the importance of tea in Irish culture and who the hell Mother Grogan was. On the Blog: The Women of Ulysses: Mother Grogan and the Milk Woman Social Media: Facebook | Twitter Subscribe to Blooms and Barnacles: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher Further Reading: The full lyrics of the song "Ned Grogan" can be found here . More on Mother ...
Dec 13, 2018•36 min•Ep. 6
Kelly and Dermot sit down with P.J. Murphy and Jack Walsh, two volunteers who are keeping the legacy of Sweny's Pharmacy alive. Sweny's, of course, is the location where Leopold Bloom bought his lemon soap. We talk the history of Sweny's, their Joyce connection and the challenges of preserving Joycean landmarks in 21st century Dublin. P.J. even shares a song at the end. Sweny's on the Internet: Website | Facebook | Twitter Subscribe to Sweny's Patreon to give a monthly donation. Subscribe to Blo...
Nov 29, 2018•59 min•Ep. 5
