Podcast
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Ep. 13 – The Nostalgia Trap (w/ Tom O’Leary)
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…
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Ep. 12 – Wings of Excess
Sweny’s Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark alive. Please subscribe! On the Blog: Pyrrhus: A Disappointed Bridge Social Media: Facebook|Twitter Subscribe to Blooms & Barnacles: iTunes| Google Play Music| Stitcher Further Reading: Birmingham, K. (2014, June 7). As the world went to war, James Joyce plotted his own revolution. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/as-the-world-went-to-war-james-joyce-plotted-his-own-revolution-1.1820543 Gifford,…
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Ep. 11 – Kelly Bryan
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,” how to make…
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Ep. 10 – Nestor
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. On the Blog: Ulysses & The Odyssey:…
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Ep. 9 – Remorse of Conscience
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…
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Ep. 8 – Heresiarchs
Kelly and Dermot get deep talking about arch heresies, the Council of Nicaea, 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. On the Blog: Decoding Dedalus: Heresies in “Telemachus” Social Media: Facebook|Twitter Subscribe to Blooms and Barnacles: iTunes| Google…
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Ep. 7 – In Defense of Dorkiness
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…
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Ep. 6 – Tea for the Tower-Men
Hell is breakfast with Buck Mulligan.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…
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Ep. 5 – Sweny’s Pharmacy
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.…
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Ep. 4 – Introibo Ad Altare Dei
Kelly and Dermot talk about page #1 of Ulysses, taking a deep dive into the symbolism of the Catholic Mass in the opening scene. There’s lots of talk about blasphemy, transubstantiation, saints and why Kelly was a terrible altar server back in the day. We finish off with wild speculation about why kids don’t learn…