Helen Hagemann: ‘Driving into Dublin’ – Bloomsday Supplement 2026

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On route to the M1, a backdrop of clouds, nettled verges widen and a diesel tractor bumps off its hay. At the toll gate, I hand over

one euro-eighty to Irish ladies who witness my accent and laugh at our recent loss at the Rugby match. My diminishing fuel is mea culpa.

I’ve made an appointment at County Rentals because opening the fuel tank is a mystery. Near the airport, I enter and reappear, no satnav,

lose my bearings, the fuel needle close to empty. I drive into Dublin, a cavern of one way streets, boys glare and point I’m going the wrong way.

I find parking, watch live statues unfold arms and wonder where Literature Street g oes. The River Liffey moves under my feet,

and walking to the tourist bureau, enquire with a Melbournian how to find County Rentals from this side of the city. I act nonchalant, first stop

Grafton Street, buying camera parts, phone credit, books. I disguise my folly over a Hahn beer, the bartender’s from Sydney, I say I’m from Perth.

Eventually, I survive my drive into Dublin and when back in County Monaghan learn from young Dublin writers, they don’t even take the car.

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Helen Hagemann lives in Perth. She has three novels published and three collections of poetry. Helen enjoys writing poetry in a monthly group at the Peter Cowan Writers Centre, ECU Joondalup.  

2026 Bloomsday Supplement - Table of Contents

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