Norris entertains 'Ulysses’ readers in characteristic style

A group of about 80 people gathered at Navan's Solstice Arts Centre last week to see Senator David Norris launch the Navan Ulysses Reading Group. The reading group is newly established and its organisers chose the occasion of James Joyce's birthday, 2nd February, to invite the senator and presidential hopeful - who is a noted Joycean scholar - to officiate at its launch. Before hearing Senator Norris speak, the attendance was addressed by the Mayor of Navan, Cllr Phil Brennan. Cllr Brennan expressed his satisfaction that the Navan Ulysses Reading Group had been established and wished it every success. After cutting a specially commissioned James Joyce birthday cake, Senator Norris entertained the group for three-quarters of an hour, performing excerpts from his acclaimed one-man show 'Do you hear what I'm seeing?' The crowd also was treated to readings from Joyce's work, anecdotes about Joycean Dublin as well as plenty of Senator Norris's characteristic wit. The senator voiced his enthusiastic approval of the Ulysses Reading Group and said he was “delighted†it had been set up. He also spoke briefly about his presidential election campaign, which will begin in earnest later this year, he said. After he had addressed the gathering, Senator Norris was presented with a gift of two books of local interest by Cllr Brennan. The Navan Ulysses Reading Group will meet every second Tuesday evening in Navan library from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. The idea behind the group is to make Joyce's novel 'Ulysses' accessible to the ordinary reader and take it out of the realm of the academic. The group's sessions will be conducted in an informal and friendly atmosphere and anyone with an interest in the subject is invited to attend. Sessions will be facilitated by a postgraduate student who has substantial experience with the works of James Joyce. The group will run initially until 16th June when participants will make a Joycean 'pilgrimage' to Dublin for Bloomsday. The next session of the Navan Ulysses Reading Group takes place on Tuesday 22nd February. Further information is available on www.ulyssesinnavan.blogspot.com or by emailing ulyssesinnavan@gmail.com