Balloonatics Bloomsday in Dublin
Celebrating Bloomsday on the streets of Dublin
Monday June 16 2025
Balloonatics are back once again on June 16th and will be spanning the day with on- location recreations of Ulysses in Dublin city centre.
This year we have a big team of experienced performers: Mark Wale, Paul O’Hanrahan, Mick Greer, Paul Dornan, Chris Bilton and musician John Goudie.
Join us on Bloomsday throughout the day: we are presenting two theatrical walks (no booking required), one outdoor performance 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 Cabman’s Shelter
Meet at the Connolly memorial under the railway bridge near Beresford Place. This performance, based on the ‘Eumaeus’ episode (chapter 16), takes place at the site of the Cabman’s Shelter where Bloom and Stephen try to get some late night sustenance.
A new addition to Bloomsday, developed in association with the Joyce Centre.
7.30 pm Humid Nightblue Fruit: Performances and Readings Wynn’s Hotel, Lower Abbey Street
End your Bloomsday evening at this convivial Joyce gathering in this historic hotel.
The Many Trials of Leopold Bloom
This year our team of six present a dramatized reading of the opening half of the ‘Circe’ episode from Ulysses. Bloom makes his way through the brothel area of Dublin and fantasy takes over as he is put on trial and alternately celebrated and reviled.
The performance will be followed by audience readings, all welcome to participate.
Advance booking recommended: tickets €15 (plus fee) on Eventbrite
See: balloonaticstheatre.com
Facebook: Paul O’Hanrahan/ Balloonatics Theatre Company
Bloomsday 2024 archive
BALLOONATICS are back once again on June 16 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)
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)
Book at this link: https://tinyurl.com/humidnightblue
