Bloomsday - Skehana, June 2022.

The first ever Bloomsday event for the Skehana area took place on the 16th June 2022 at Owens farm Ballaghnagrosheen, Menlough. It was brainchild and wish of the Chairman of Skehana & District Heritage Group, Seán Conneely, to have our own Bloomsday event and what a better time to celebrate this event locally than on the 100th anniversary of the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses.  Seán’s son Michael, was heavily involved in the production and presentation of the event and it turned out to be a fantastic day with a full house of attendees.

Local elected representatives including Cllr Michael Connolly, Senator Ashling Dolan, Cllr Evelyn Parsons, Cllr. Peter Keaveney and Sean Canney, T.D. attended an complimented the group on it’s novel presentation. Our local Parish Priest Fr. Karl Burns was in attendance he was amongst other heritage groups and family members. The locals all dressed in the appropriate attire of long skirts, lace, suits and straw hats and some even ventured with round glasses which were provided on the night.

Seán and his son Michael picked out the readings for the night and we even had a visit from Nora Barnacle (aka Marian Hardiman) on the night. Skehana Folkgroup members Mary Mellody,Michael Connolly, Kevin Collins, Aishling Mitchell and Sinead Thompson sang lots of songs from the time to include “Monto”

None of this would happen without the work and dedication from all members of our Skehana & District Heritage group. Huge thank you to the Owens family for the use of their beautiful cottage and their tremendous hospitality

Below are some photos of our brilliant day and some links to some short videos of the singing on the night.

Photographs Emma Laffey & Marian Hardiman