A recital of new and original ballads by Val O’Donnell written to the airs of music mentioned in Ulysses. Adding to the success of his 2024 18 Ballads from James Joyce’s Ulysses, Val is at it again with 18 more vibrant, playful and engrossing ballads set to airs of music referred to in Ulysses and Joyce’s other work. Performed by Val, Sinéad Murphy, Joe Ryder, Andrew BasquilleVal O’Donnell has a connection with the theatre for over 50 years as an actor, director and adaptor from Irish literature. In 2011 Val established The JoyceStagers theatre company to perform his adaptations from the works of James Joyce.

The Bloomsday Festival takes place on 11-16 June 2026. It is organised by The James Joyce Centre in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.