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Ivy Day in the Committee Room
A story of Irish politics by James Joyce
Probably not the most inspiring of short story titles, Ivy Day in the Committee Room, made its first appearance in James Joyce’s lauded collection, Dubliners, published in 1914.
Ivy Day takes place on 6th October and commemorates the death of Irish Nationalist politician, Charles Stuart Parnell in 1891. Parnell was seen as the ‘uncrowned king of Ireland.’ When his affair with a married woman was revealed, the populace turned on him, putting back the cause of Irish independence. His presence haunts this story.
The story takes in the gossip of a group of political canvassers working for the mayoral candidate in the city council elections. They congregate in the National Party committee room to get warm and fortify themselves with drink. As they wait for payment they talk politics, although much of the substance is no more then pernicious gossip.
The setting of the story in the committee is significant for once being Parnell’s headquarters of his National party. When Parnell was in the ascendant it was a place full of energy and optimism, and commitment towards change. Parnell’s betrayal is linked to a fading of hope and break in morale that has been carried to the next generation.
