Rua in the Media
Paul “Rua” Gleeson is a highly regarded Irish magician and mentalist with 20 years of live performance. His television credits include The Late Late Show, Today, Ireland AM, TG4’s Draíocht and Virgin Media’s The Big Deal, where he reached the semi-finals. Explore the clips, press coverage and his work on the science of illusion below.
Science Gallery International
Rua researched and co-curated ILLUSION: Nothing Is As It Seems with Science Gallery International. The exhibition explored perception, psychology and deception through interactive experiences and travelled internationally.
Dublin City University’s 9 January 2014 profile independently documents his co-curator role alongside his ten-part TG4 series, Draíocht. Read the DCU profile.
World of Illusion Dublin
Rua served as Lead Consultant for World of Illusion in Dublin, drawing on his background in magic and the psychology of perception to help shape an interactive visitor experience. This role is described by Rua; it is separate from his independently documented Science Gallery International co-curation.
Television & Press
RTÉ The Late Late Show: Rua performs mind reading with Ryan Tubridy in this April 2017 appearance. Watch the full segment.
Ireland AM: Rua demonstrates close-up mentalism with presenter Simon Delaney on the morning programme. Watch the Ireland AM segment.
RTÉ The Saturday Night Show: Watch Rua perform close-up magic on the 18 January 2014 programme. Watch the Saturday Night Show clip.
TG4 — Draíocht: DCU profiled Rua’s ten-part Irish-language magic series in January 2014. Read the DCU feature.
Virgin Media TV — The Big Deal: Watch Rua’s semi-final performance on the broadcaster’s channel. Watch the clip.
RTÉ Today: Rua performs magic and mind reading in this recording hosted by Paul Gleeson. Watch the Today clip.
Podcast — What’s the Story? Rua discusses his path into magic, deception and mind reading in a 2015 long-form interview. Listen to the episode.
Selected articles and radio coverage:
Irish Theatre Magazine reviewed Rua’s Dublin Fringe show Of Rogues and Knaves, praising his live magic and theatrical storytelling. Read the review.
IMAGE featured Rua’s close-up magic at Mary and Ruairi’s Galway wedding, describing it as a highlight of their reception. Read the wedding feature.
20minutos covered Science Gallery Dublin’s ILLUSION and named Paul Rua Gleeson’s contribution to the exhibition’s selection of works. Read the Spanish article.
FM104 interviewed Rua about magic and his appearance on Virgin Media’s The Big Deal in September 2021. Listen to the interview.
The Mirror profiled Rua in January 2014, covering the accident that led him to magic and the launch of his TG4 series. Read the archived feature.
The Times profiled Irish illusionists in “Spell in the spotlight” (21 April 2013), including Rua’s forthcoming Draíocht series. Read the article (subscription may be required).
Meath Chronicle named Rua in its coverage of the 2016 Irish Redhead Convention, noting his TG4 series and live mentalism. Read the festival feature.
Irish Independent profiled Rua in “Gleeson’s great escape” (9 January 2014), covering his television and escape work. Read the Irish Independent profile.
Irish Mirror interviewed Rua about his path into magic and The Big Deal in 2021. Read the Irish Mirror feature.
My Big Day published a supplier spotlight on Rua’s wedding magic and mentalism. Read the wedding feature.
Explore Rua’s corporate mentalist performances in Ireland.