Copy of 1916 portrait photo of Nora Barnacle

Nora Barnacle was born in Galway City and educated at the Sisters of Mercy Convent there. She worked as a portress at the Presentation Convent until 1904 when she moved to Dublin and found work as a chambermaid. She met James Joyce in 1904 and they formed an immediate attachment. Later that year they began their life together in Europe, and their two children were born in 1905 and 1907. Although the couple were not officially married until 1931, the relationship was a strong one which survived poverty, constant moves, their daughter’s illness and the general difficulties of living with genius. After Joyce’s death in 1941 Nora remained living in Zurich in reduced circumstances. She suffered from arthritis and died of uremic poisoning on 10th April 1951. Her family home in Bowling Green in Galway is now open to the public. Photograph presented by Vivien Igoe on 21st March 1984, Nora Barnacle’s centenary.