18 Ballads from James Joyce’s Ulysses by Val O'Donnell

Join us at the James Joyce Centre on Tuesday, the 8th of October at 7pm for the book launch of 18 Ballads from James Joyce's Ulysses by Val O’Donnell.

This collection of new ballads, based on characters featured in James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses, has just been published. The collection consists of eighteen ballads written by Val O’Donnell and set to airs of music which are referred to in Ulysses or in other works of James Joyce. The collection includes short quotes from Ulysses, a note on the music and suggestions for accessing the original sheet music and performances of the airs chosen for the ballads.

The event will start at 7pm, with a short drinks reception followed by an entertainment provided by three special guests, who will perform a selection from the ballads in the collection.

The address at the launch will be given by Dublin - born poet and writer, Brian Lynch.

The event will conclude by 9 pm.

Admission is free but booking is essential. Copies of 18 Ballads from James Joyce’s Ulysses will be on sale at the event (€10).

Val O'Donnell has a connection with the theatre for over 50 years as an actor, director and adaptor of Irish literature.

In 2011, Val established The JoyceStagers theatre company to perform his adaptations from the works of James Joyce. The JoyceStagers have performed "The Funeral of Paddy Dignam," adapted by Val from the 6th episode of Ulysses, annually on Bloomsday at Glasnevin Cemetary. They have also performed his adaptations from Episodes 8, 12, and 16 at various locations in Dublin around Bloomsday.

Val has a lifelong interest in music and plays piano. Email him at [email protected].

The James Joyce Centre is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Host or Publisher James Joyce Centre