In a world first, the voice of James Joyce will be heard once more, reading a specially crafted poem in honour of his muse and wife, Nora Barnacle.
This unprecedented event will take place at The Town Hall Theatre, Galway, on Friday, March 21, at 3.30pm, as part of the International Nora Barnacle Day celebrations at Grá Festival.
Through the power of Artificial Intelligence, Joyce’s voice has been cloned. It will recite Rathgar Odyssey, a poem inspired by his life. This reading is set against the backdrop of an evocative line drawing of Joyce by surrealist artist Joe Boske, bringing a fusion of literature, technology, and visual art to life in a way never seen—or heard—before.
Margaret Nolan, director of Grá Festival, explains: “Nora Barnacle was James Joyce’s muse, his great love, and an essential part of his literary legacy. It is only fitting that on her birthday, we hear his voice once again, reading in her honour.”
This ground-breaking project was spearheaded by writer Michael Quinn and artist Joe Boske, who, in collaboration with Galway-based technologist, Tom O’Connor, asked a bold question: Could James Joyce’s voice be resurrected to read new words for Nora’s birthday? The answer will be revealed in this unique performance - where art, literature, and artificial intelligence converge.
“AI does not have to be a threat. It can be a writer’s tool for an Augmented Imagination. This project is about reviving the past to enrich the present, honouring Nora Barnacle and the artistic legacy she helped inspire,” says Quinn.
Admission is free.
