Scottish Premiere Performance of Nora and Jim
On March 5th, the Consulate and the National Library of Scotland hosted the Scottish premiere performance of 'Nora and Jim' - a one-act play looking at the relationship of Nora Barnacle and James Joyce.
In March, the Consulate worked with the National Library of Scotland to put on the Scottish premiere of 'Nora and Jim'.
The one-act play by Nora Connolly tells the story of the unique relationship between Nora Barnacle of Galway and her husband, James Joyce of Dublin. The couple met in 1904 in Dublin and quickly eloped, settling in various European cities including Trieste, Paris and Zurich, where Joyce is buried. The play explores the highs and lows of the couple’s relationship.
Actors Julie Hale and Rúaidhrí Conroy took on the roles of Nora and James respectively, in a production directed by Ronan Wilmot and produced by Kevin Cronin. Audience members gained an insight into both of their hearts, along with their dreams, ambitions and Joyce’s failing eyesight.
Scottish Tour Producer Jimmy Watson said "Joyce forges on with his writing with Nora holding the family together while the map of Europe changes around them, driving them into further exile, ultimately resulting in his best-known work ‘Ulysses’ which has generated legions of academics to examine it and how he was inspired. ‘Ulysses’ has been described as ’the longest love letter to Nora Barnacle’.”
Introducing the play, the Consul General of Ireland Jerry O’Donovan said “The Consulate General of Ireland to Scotland is proud to partner with the National Library of Scotland to support the Scottish tour of “Nora & Jim”. Ireland and Scotland are bound by deep and ancient cultural, literary and community links. It is fitting that the National Library of Scotland, an important cultural and historical institution for the people of Scotland, will host a performance focusing on one of Ireland’s pre-eminent writers and the woman who inspired much of his creative and personal energies.”