On Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June 2023, Embassy Gardens will bring together a collective of Irish creatives to celebrate Bloomsday. Co-hosted by Darby’s, the popular oyster bar, bakery and grill restaurant from chef-owner Robin Gill, Bloomsday at Embassy Gardens will be part litfest, part foodfest, part musicfest, and shine a light on the incredible talent – both established and emerging – from Ireland.

Bloomsday is a celebration centred around James Joyce’s Ulysses, traditionally hosted in Dublin. The Bloomsday Festival at Embassy Gardens will be a two-day event, hosting a range of free-to-attend performances, from spoken word to music and beyond, as well as special dinner menus from Darby’s and exciting outdoor pop-ups.
On Friday 16th June, Darby’s will host a launch breakfast at 9:30AM, featuring a menu inspired by the breakfast dishes in James Joyce’s Ulysses; this will be served alongside spoken word performances from storytelling collective Seanchoíche, and traditional Irish music. Tickets are available for £35pp and can be booked here.

There will be music and spoken word performances throughout the day in Darby’s, accompanying the Bloomsday set menu, which will feature dishes inspired by Joyce’s literature, such as: beef tartare, buttermilk and sour onions; Coine Valley lamb saddle with wild garlic butter, and strawberry bread pudding and meringue. Tickets for dinner sittings are £65pp and can be booked here. There will also be an extensive snack menu, including dishes such as dressed oyster and Cornish crab rolls, and specials, all available in the restaurant and outside on the terrace.

Saturday 17th June will see an afternoon of outdoor festivities from 12PM – 9PM, including a pop-up market, bars, Irish dancing, live music, and authors and musicians performing readings, including a words and music performance from Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May featuring Niall McNamee, who will be closing the Saturday at 8:30PM on the outdoor stage.

Also taking part in the festival will be celebrated writer Niamh Mulvey and Sri Lankan-Irish actor/writer Trevor Kaneswaran, with more music from Belfast born-and-bred musician Aislinn Logan, singer/songwriter from County Galway, Cathal Broderick, Video Blue, the musical project of Dundalk native Jim O’ Donoghue Martin, musician Theo and a solo set from Niall McNamee. Interactive shows will include a céili with Hugh Cooney and a “lovely girls & boys competition” paying homage to the renowned Father Ted.

Official event partner Jameson Irish Whiskey will host a special Jameson bar serving cocktails, while Darby’s will host all-day whiskey tastings. Carlingford Oysters will have an oyster bar with dressed oysters from some of the most celebrated Irish chefs, including Robin Gill, Richard Corrigan, Nick Fitzgerald & Patrick Powell. There will also be an Irish Beef outdoor BBQ grill, serving delicious dishes from their grass-fed cows, as well as a makers’ market showcasing products created by London-based Irish producers. The events on Saturday are free to attend and open to the public.

Darby’s chef and owner Robin Gill said: “Inspired by my lifelong friend Peter Caviston from my home town of Sandycove, which is famously James Joyce territory, I wanted to emulate Dublin’s Bloomsday festival and add it to the vibrant programme of neighbourhood events and activities taking place at Embassy Gardens. Think a festival encompassing and celebrating everything in Irish gastronomy, music, literature and spoked word!”

Eloise Solari, Head of Sales at Embassy Gardens, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Bloomsday Festival at Embassy Gardens, to celebrate Irish culture and heritage alongside our fantastic community of on-site businesses. We look forward to marking the occasion through the exciting programme of events showcasing the finest Irish food and drink, entertainment, music and culture, alongside both our residents and new visitors.”
Darby’s is located in the Embassy Gardens building of the iconic Sky Pool, at 3 Viaduct Gardens, Embassy Gardens, London, SW11 7AY. Activities will take place outside Darby’s, with a live music stage overlooking the Sunken Ponds, and Nine Elms Park playing host to the market, oyster bar, Jameson pop up and Irish Beef stall.