Celebrating Bloomsday on the streets of Dublin
Tuesday June 16 2026
Balloonatics are back once again on June 16th and will be providing on-location recreations of Ulysses in Dublin city centre.
This year we once again have a team of experienced performers: Mark Wale,
Paul O’Hanrahan, Mick Greer, Chris Bilton and musician John Goudie.
Join us on Bloomsday throughout the day: we are presenting theatrical walks (no booking required) and our traditional evening show in Wynn’s Hotel for which advance booking is advised.
All our street events are free of charge but we do like to pass the hat at the end to meet our costs.
8 am Breakfast at the Blooms
Meet at the corner of Eccles and Dorset Street.
Bloom prepares separate breakfasts for himself and his wife and takes a stroll to the nearby butcher. This immersive tour follows the ‘Calypso’ episode of Ulysses, chapter 4.
11 am From Capel Street to Courthouse
Meet on the wide side of Grattan Bridge over the Liffey.
This theatrical tour with commentary visits sites linked with the ‘Sirens’ and ‘Cyclops’ episodes of Ulysses, chapters 11 and 12, and explores Capel Street’s Joyce connections.
3 pm Scenes on Abbey Street
Meet at the Irish Life Plaza, Lower Abbey Street.
A short selection of dramatized excerpts from Ulysses set on Abbey Street: Upper, Middle and Lower. After a scene in Mary's Abbey and the whirlwind of the newspaper office, we descend from the Abbey Theatre to tall tales told in a cabman's shelter.
7.30 pm Humid Nightblue Fruit: Performances and Readings
Wynn’s Hotel, Lower Abbey Street
End your Bloomsday evening on a high at this convivial Joyce gathering in this historic hotel.
This year our team presents The Dublin Horse Show, an hour-long gallop through Ulysses which explores how humans project their needs and urges onto their fellow animals. A dramatised reading with a difference!
This performance will be followed by audience readings, all welcome to participate.
Book tickets at Eventbrite: €18 (& fee) https://tinyurl.com/ycbps3a5
Advance booking is strongly recommended.
Email: info@balloonaticstheatre.com
Facebook: Paul O’Hanrahan/ Balloonatics Theatre Company
Bloomsday 2024 archive
BALLOONATICS are back once again on 16 June 2024 and will be spanning the day with on-location recreations of Ulysses in Dublin city centre.
Join us on Bloomsday throughout the day: we are presenting three theatrical walks (no booking required) and our traditional evening performance in Wynn’s Hotel for which advance booking is advised.
This year’s performers are: Mark Wale, Chris Bilton, Paul O’Hanrahan and musician, John Goudie.
STREET THEATRE TOURS (free of charge; cash contribution at end appreciated)
JUNE 2024
8 am Breakfast at the Blooms
Meet at the corner of Eccles and Dorset Street.
Bloom prepares separate breakfasts for himself and his wife and takes a stroll to the nearby butcher. This tour follows the ‘Calypso’ episode of Ulysses, chapter 4.
10.30 am Bloom collects a letter
Meet at Westland Row, opposite Pearse Station entrance, under the bridge.
This tour follows Bloom’s journey to church and chemist in the ‘Lotus-Eaters’ episode of Ulysses, chapter 5.
3 p.m. Bloom’s afternoon dodges
Meet on the wide side of Grattan Bridge over the Liffey.
This tour visits sites linked with the ‘Sirens’ and ‘Cyclops’ episodes of Ulysses, chapters 11 and 12, and explores Capel Street’s Joyce connections.
EVENING JOYCE PERFORMANCE
7.30 pm Humid Nightblue Fruit
Wynn’s Hotel, Lower Abbey Street
End your Bloomsday evening at this convivial Joyce gathering in this historic hotel.
This year’s Balloonatics performance is
BARACAROLES AND BARRELTONES: MEN IN THE ORMOND
A dramatised reading of the ‘Sirens’ episode and related scenes from Ulysses adapted by Paul O’Hanrahan, who performs with Mark Wale, Chris Bilton and musician John Goudie.
The performance will be followed by audience readings, all welcome to participate.
Advance booking recommended: tickets on Eventbrite, €13 plus booking fee (€15 on door, if not sold out)
balloonaticstheatre.com