The Joyces came to Ireland in the late twelfth century as Norman invaders, but cast aside the sword to dominate the commercial life of the island as wealthy merchants.
• Assimilating the native religion and culture they became victims of those who tried to annihilate it, but they survived and have thrived through a rich variety of endeavours.
• In the world of literature James Joyce, born in 1882, was the celebrated Irish writer ranked as having been among the most influential writers of the twentieth century.
