ULYSSES FOR THE REST OF US!

The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new book club, Ulysses – for the Rest of Us!, hosted by the author, activist and podcast host Conner Habib. Starting on Bloomsday, 16 June, and running until September, the book club will offer a unique opportunity to read James Joyce’s Ulysses for the first time, or to revisit it with a new perspective.

Ulysses may be one of the most famous and influential novels ever published, but how many have actually read it? Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! aims to demystify this extraordinary book – now nearly 100 years old – and offer fresh ways into James Joyce’s vast, elaborate and often hilarious masterpiece for every reader. Join Conner Habib this summer in unlocking Ulysses, episode by episode, from Stephen Dedalus’s breakfast in Sandycove through to Molly Bloom’s famous closing monologue. 

Starting with an online interview with the host at 1pm on Bloomsday, 16 June, Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! will continue fortnightly on Thursday evenings over Zoom until September. In addition to Conner Habib’s fun and accessible introductions to each episode, book club members will have access to a wealth of additional resources and recommended reading lists. Sign up for free at www.moli.ie/ulysses

Introducing the book club, Conner Habib said, “the most important part of this course is that you love the experience. People are so often kept out of reading this book by scholars – one of the reasons I was asked to do this is because I am not a scholar. I’m someone who has read the book many times, and yes, I’ve read supplemental works - but I love the book in a different way to a scholar”.

Simon O’Connor, Director of MoLI, added: “Ulysses is at the heart of MoLI - Joyce studied in these buildings, and visitors can see some of the most precious items from the National Library’s Joyce collections here at the museum, including the famous ‘Copy No.1’ of the novel. Ulysses is about the everyday, and Joyce wanted it to be a novel for all readers. We are so excited about demystifying the book and unlocking the great pleasures of Ulysses for many more readers. For anyone who has ever wanted to read Ulysses, now is your chance.”

About the Museum of Literature Ireland

The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) is a major partnership and creative alliance between University College Dublin (UCD) and the National Library of Ireland (NLI), supported by The Naughton Foundation and Fáilte Ireland. A new landmark cultural institution in the heart of Ireland’s capital city and picturesquely located on the southside of St Stephen’s Green in some of Dublin’s finest historic houses, MoLI’s cutting-edge exhibitions explore Ireland’s incredible literary heritage, while showcasing treasures from the National LIbrary’s literary collections. Set amidst beautiful gardens, Dublin’s newest museum is an inspirational oasis for visitors to the city centre.  The museum celebrates Ireland’s internationally renowned literary culture and heritage from the past to the present, inspiring the next generation to create, read and write. Immersive multimedia exhibitions, priceless artefacts, lectures, performances, free-to-access children’s education programmes, historic house tours, digital broadcasting, research facilities and a courtyard café set in one of the city’s most beautiful and tranquil gardens make the Museum of Literature Ireland a major contribution to the local and international literary landscape. Irish literature has been hugely influential the world over, and to dedicate such a significant historic site to telling the stories of our writers has attracted attention from across the globe. Many Irish writers studied in our buildings – James Joyce, Maeve Binchy, Kate O’Brien and Flann O’Brien and many others have passed through these rooms. We look forward to welcoming you to MoLI, and inspiring you to start your own creative journey.

About Conner Habib

Conner Habib is an author, activist, and the host of the countercultural podcast Against Everyone With Conner Habib. His first novel, Hawk Mountain, will be out in spring of 2022 from Doubleday in Ireland and Norton in the US. 

Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! Schedule

Wednesday, 16 June 2021, 1pm – Interview with Conner Habib by Simon O’Connor, Director of MoLI

Thursday, 24 June, 7pm – Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! (book club)

Thursday, 8 July, 7pm – Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! (book club)

Thursday, 22 July, 7pm – Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! (book club)

Thursday, 5 August, 7pm – Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! (book club)

Thursday, 19 August, 7pm – Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! (book club)

Thursday, 2 September, 7pm – Ulysses – for the Rest of Us! (book club)

Thursday, 9 September, 7pm – Ulysses– for the Rest of Us! (book club)