Seachain an duine a bhíonn ina thost

Charles Haughey died today. Taoiseach for three terms, he was one of the most corrupt Irish politicians ever. For example, the Moriarty tribunal found he received £8million in personal donations over 18 years. Money raised for Brian Lenihan, a former government minister and supposed friend of Charlie Boy, and intended to pay for his liver transplant, instead mysteriously ended up in Charlie's bank account and was spent on fancy Charvet shirts. He also managed to have a 27-year affair with gossip columnist Terry Keane, who announced the affair in 1999 on one of Ireland's most popular TV shows, The Late Late Show. A bit shocking for Charlie's poor family. He still owes shedloads of tax. No doubt his estate will settle the bill by selling his private island.

As you can probably tell, I'm not the biggest fan of Charlie. But there have only been 10 Taoisigh in the entire history of the state, so clearly he's quite an important figure in Irish politics.

But WHY do they have to bury him on Bloomsday?

Bloomsday at the Joyce Centre 2006

Owing to the death of former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey, and the state funeral on Friday 16th June, all Bloomsday events at the James Joyce Centre, 35 North Great George's Street, Dublin 1 have been cancelled as a mark of respect. The Board of Directors and the staff of the James Joyce Centre offer their condolences to the family.

Thankfully, the wonderful thing about Bloomsday is that it's not organised by any one organisation. So while it's a shame the James Joyce Centre won't be participating, the other festivities will (hopefully) be going ahead.

It'll be my first Bloomsday, and I'm planning on getting properly involved. Starting the day with a nice offal-based breakfast. Perhaps buying some lemon soap. Maybe a swim in the Forty Foot. Burgundy in Davy Byrne's. And we may even use the state funeral to our advantage, allowing it to fill the role of Dignan's funeral. Although he's not being buried in the same graveyard, so the route will be all wrong.

I still need to find an Edwardian costume.