Literature

‘Strings in the earth and air…’ with Nicole Rourke and Benjamin Dwyer

To continues our St Brigid’s celebrations and also to mark James Joyce’s Birthday, we are delighted to bring you this sublime and powerful presentation of music, voice and words..

‘Strings in the earth and air…’

Irelands most renowned International Classical Guitarist, ( and one of the leading Classical Guitarists in the World), Benjamin Dywer, is well known to patrons of the ICC after he brought his ground-breaking musical ‘Sacrum Profanum’ based on Irelands enigmatic Sheela na gigs, (2025) and his wonderful Bloomsday tribute to Joyce, (2024) performing alongside the extra ordinary actor Barry McGovern, who’s renowned for his readings of Ulysses and Finnegan’s Wake

   

Mon 02 February 2026

Doors: 7pm; Starts: 7.30pm

Tickets: £15/£13 (concessions)

 

This year on Monday Feb 2nd , to mark James Joyce’s birthday, Benjamin Dwyer returns to the ICC, with the actor– writer Nicole Rourke to perform their sublime and powerful presentation of music, voice and words.. “Strings in the earth and air’ which is inspired by James Joyce’s love for Nora Barnacle.

 

 

 

 

This evocative night of music and words will celebrate Nora Barnacle—the powerful raucous and raunchy female presence in Joyce’s writings. The show includes excerpts of ‘raw sensuality’ from Nuala O’Conner’s acclaimed book Nora: A Love Story of Nora Barnacle and James Joyce; and it also features Nicole Rourke’s hilarious and poignant text, The Lingerie Queen of Dublin. The night will also include Benjamin Dwyer’s beautiful arrangements of traditional Irish classics, the songs which Joyce loved to sing – Down by the Sally Gardens and The Last Rose of Summer, and a key feature will be Dwyer’s awe-inspiring arrangement for guitar of Joyce’s only known composition ‘Bid Adieu’, set for classical guitar to Molly’s famous evocative soliloquy in Ulysses, read by Nicole Rourke.

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