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Exhibition space at the American Writers Museum
Image courtesy of the American Writers Museum.
Image courtesy of the American Writers Museum.

The little known Irish connection in Chicago's American Writers Museum

Bloomsday – celebrated annually on 16 June to commemorate James Joyce’s 1922 novel Ulysses – is one of the world’s most iconic literary celebrations. In 2025, the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago celebrated by paying tribute to Irish writers past and present, from James Joyce right through to the contemporary writers of the present day.

Partnering with the American Writers Museum and the University of Chicago to mark the occasion with an event at Ireland House, featuring readings from the works of Joyce, Edna O’Brien, Colm Tóibín, and Sally Rooney and insights and reflections from Professor Rachel Galvin of the University of Chicago and the American Writers Museum’s Christopher Burrow.

An Irish origin story

Established in 2017, the American Writers Museum is one of Chicago’s most intimate and engaging museums. The Museum has a little known Irish origin story, standing as a testament to the global reach of Ireland’s writers and Irish literature!

Learn more about the connections between the Chicago-based literary centre and Irish writers:

The little known Irish connection to the American Writers Museum