'Past Nichols'

J & C Nichols, Ltd, Funeral Directors,  is celebrating its 200th birthday this year.

The company is proud to announce the launch of the book ‘Past Nichols' the Undertakers' on Bloomsday, June 16th 2014.

The title of the book is taken directly from the Lotus Eaters chapter of Ulysses, by James Joyce, as Leopold Bloom journeys his way across the city, and walks past the distinctive red-brick establishment of J & C Nichols on Lombard Street East.

Passers-by today can stroll in the foot-steps of Leopold Bloom, as he did in 1904, and read the quotation illustrated on the entrance wall of Nichols.

The book has been written by current Managing Director of Nichols, Gus Nichols, the sixth generation of the family providing funeral service to the people of Dublin, and Paula Howard, recently retired from Dublin City Libraries and a grand-daughter of Gus's late father and former Managing Director, Charles Edward Nichols.

Beautifully designed and illustrated by Emma Byrne of O'Brien Press, the book is full of delightful images, reflections, anecdotes and social history, set against a background of political, national and social upheaval.

The story is told right up until the present day, and gives a fascinating insight into the (at one time) hidden world of the funeral director, and the changing customs and culture to be found in modern day funeral service. It is also a story about a Dublin family - and how that family survived and adapted to a changing Ireland. With the foreword written by Senator David Norris, Past Nichols the Undertakers is an upbeat and accessible publication that might surprise a coffee table or two.

For more information please contact us on: info@nichols.ie