What is Bloomsday, you ask? It’s a celebration of the life of Irish writer James Joyce and his famous modernist novel, Ulysses. The novel follows character Leopold Bloom through Dublin on a single day, June 16, 1904.

Every year since 1954 on June 16, Joyce devotees gather to retrace Leopold Bloom’s journey through Dublin, organize pub crawls and readings from Ulysses around the world, dress up in Edwardian outfits, and carouse just like James Joyce.

You’re not required to fly to Dublin and dress up to celebrate. Start with a dram or two if Irish whiskey, and see where the day takes you. Joyce was infamous for his drinking, and whiskey was among his favorite tipples. “The light music of whiskey falling into a glass — an agreeable interlude,” he famously wrote.

If you need some Irish whiskey recommendations, read A Flight of Irish Whiskey: 4 Distillers, 5 Bottles.