[2] The tower was leased from the War Office by Joyce's university friend Oliver St. John Gogarty, with the purpose of "Hellenising" Ireland.

Gogarty later attributed Joyce's abrupt departure to a midnight incident with a loaded revolver.

The living space is set up to resemble its 1904 appearance, and contains a ceramic panther to represent one seen in a dream by a resident.

[citation needed] Ryan also rescued the front door to 7 Eccles Street (now at the James Joyce Centre) from demolition and organised, with Brian O'Nolan, the first Bloomsday Celebration in 1954.

[citation needed] The James Joyce Tower is open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm Admission is free, though visits can be booked in advance on the website for a small donation.