Bloomsday Festival 2026: Songs of ReJoycing

presents Songs of ReJoycing as part of on Bloomsday, Tuesday, 16th June at 7.30pm. Songs of ReJoycing is a short musical celebration, inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses, with script and lyrics by Brian Gallagher and music by Shaun Purcell.

The show features six original songs and a reprise, with all of the pieces based on scenes from Ulysses. The songs are introduced and put in context, describing the characters involved, the emotional background and the setting. By linking the text between each song, Songs of ReJoycing is an accessible, musical way into the novel and stars renowned musical theatre performers Mark O’Regan, Barbara Galvin, and Brian Gilligan, with musical direction by David O’Connor.

Come celebrate with conclusion of the Bloomsday Festival with songs, readings and great company!

Tickets are €15.

Brian Gallagher was born in Dublin. He is a full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has worked extensively in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries. He collaborated with composer Shaun Purcell on the musicals Larkin and Songs of ReJoycing, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, and he produced Whiskey in the Jar, a musical for which he also wrote the book and lyrics, with music by David O’Connor. His most recent musical project is A Terrible Beauty in which he again collaborated with composer Shaun Purcell, with musical direction by David O’Connor.

Shaun Purcell has a long involvement in writing musicals, which were staged to critical acclaim in venues in Dublin and London. He composed the music for Brian Gallagher's Larkin, Songs of ReJoycing, and Humphrey Truman's The Man Who Knows. He also worked with Brian Gallagher on Winds of Change, which was broadcast on RTE Lyric FM. Having taken a break for a number of years to pursue a career in the public service, Shaune returned ten years ago to the theatre with his Mad Raven's theatre company, who continue to perform his original productions at The Hawk's Well theatre in Sligo. Shaun’s new show, The Lost Letter, was staged at the Hawkswell Theatre in February 2026.

is organised by in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

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Host or Publisher James Joyce Centre