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UCD Alumni in Bloom
Saturday, 13 June 2026 | UCD Student Centre
Whether you're returning to campus, reconnecting with old friends, or simply looking for a memorable cultural experience, UCD Alumni in Bloom offers a unique chance to celebrate the creativity, talent, and legacy of the UCD community. Don't miss an afternoon that promises inspiration, connection and a shared sense of pride in all that UCD alumni continue to achieve.
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UCD Alumni Orchestra
Following a hugely successful debut last summer, this special concert brings together former UCD Symphony Orchestra members and Performing Arts Scholars for a powerful celebration of talent, creativity and shared connection. Don't miss this uplifting performance from some of UCD's most accomplished alumni musicians.
Strolling Through Ulysses!
Enjoy a one-man show that tells the fun-filled story of Bloomsday, 16 June 1904, the iconic day around which James Joyce's Ulysses is based. Written and performed by Robert Gogan, Strolling Through Ulysses!, is a fresh and engaging journey through Joyce's world, designed to make his work feel accessible and relevant today. Through humour, storytelling and carefully chosen extracts, Robert guides you through the curious events and quirky characters of Ulysses in an entertaining and informative way - bringing to life the comical, descriptive and complex brilliance of Joyce's writing without compromising the integrity of this literary masterpiece.
In Time: Dónal Lunny
This emotive documentary film explores the life and talent of celebrated musician and UCD Musician in Residence, Dónal Lunny, founding member of Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. The film reveals how significant events of his creative and personal life converged with major cultural, political and historic changes in Ireland and around the world.
Launch of New Word Order XII
New Word Order is a bi-annual journal published by UCD Mary Lavin Centre for Creative Writing in collaboration with NCAD and Distinctive Repetition. Featuring new fiction, poetry, and non-fiction from Ireland and around the world, the launch will include a conversation with editor, Dr. Jonathan C. Creasy and contributing author, Maggie Armstrong (Old Romantics, 2024).
Sculpture/Art Trail
Take a Joycean stroll through leafy Belfield and appreciate the extensive art and sculpture collection on campus at 13:30 and 14:30. Led by the UCD Art Curator, this Sculpture and Art Trail will include commissioned artworks inspired by Joyce.
More to discover on the day
"Life is the great teacher" Table Quiz
From Joyce to Binchy, Kinsella to Rooney, come along and test your literary & contemporary knowledge to win exclusive prizes and enjoy a light-hearted family fun quiz!
Plan your day
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1pm - 2:30pm
In Time: Donal Lunny Screening 1
Delve into the life and creative process of this unique artist whose influence and impact on Irish traditional music has been both enduring and far-reaching.Reserve your spot here -
1pm - 3pm
UCD Traditional Music Ensemble
Explore UCD Traditional Music Practices, created through Dónal Lunny’s UCD residency. -
1:15pm - 2:30pm
"Life is the great teacher" Table Quiz
Test your knowledge and win prizes at the table quiz! -
2:45pm - 4pm
Strolling Through Ulysses! - by Robert Gogan
Strolling Through Ulysses tells the fun-filled story of Bloomsday in a humorous, entertaining & informative manner, with extracts from the novel best illustrating the various aspects of Joyce's writing -
2:45pm - 4:15pm
In Time: Donal Lunny Screening 2
Delve into the life and creative process of this unique artist whose influence and impact on Irish traditional music has been both enduring and far-reaching.Reserve your spot here -
2:45pm - 4pm
Launch of New Word Order XII
The journal features new fiction, poetry, and non-fiction from Ireland and around the world with the launch including a conversation with one contributing authors, Maggie Armstrong (Old Romantics, 2024). -
4pm - 4:15pm
Surviving Ulysses with a Sigh of Relief - by Robert Gogan
Join Robert Gogan and journey into the heart of the world’s most famous "unreadable" book and uncover the humour, warmth, and sheer humanity of Leopold Bloom's Dublin -
4:30pm - 6pm
UCD Alumni Orchestra
Delight in the musical talents of the UCD alumni community brought together for a second annual concert.Reserve your spot here
UCD Alumni
Ardmore House, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland T: +353 1 716 1447 | E: alumni@ucd.ie© 2026 All Rights Reserved