9 April 2025

We were honoured to host Ambassador Ragnar Almqvist of the Embassy of Ireland in Hungary, Kosovo and Montenegro, the Mayor of Szombathely András Nemény, Deputy Mayor Soma Horváth, Ms. Adrienn Németh, and Ms. Fruzsina Nemény for a visit to the James Joyce Centre on April 9th 2025. The delegation were given a tour of the James Joyce Centre and of North Inner City. The delegation presented us with several books, pamphlets and items from the Bloomsday celebration in Szombathely.

The city of Szombathely, Hungary organises an annual Bloomsday celebration. Szombathely is the birthplace of Leopold Bloom’s father, Rudolf Virág, and holds an important place in Ulysses. Amb. Almqvist (a former employee of the James Joyce Centre) and the Embassy work closely with the city to promote the rich literary traditions of both nations.

The James Joyce Centre was delighted to foster this special literary and cultural exchange between Hungary and Ireland. We hope it will expand relations between our two countries.