Irish singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke is set to make his screen acting debut in Almost With You, an Australian feature film that will receive its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on 9 July 2026.
Written and directed by Irish-born Australian filmmaker Adam Morris, the film is set in Albany, Western Australia, and centres on themes of grief, friendship, music and new beginnings.
O’Rourke takes the lead role of Brendan Kelly, an Irish musician who finds himself with an unexpected break at the end of a solo Australian tour. Struggling with the recent loss of his brother and musical partner, Kelly spends five days in Albany, where he begins to form new connections through the local music community. Among them is Sarah, played by Australian actress Chloe Hurst.
The cast also includes Irish-Australian singer-songwriter Darren “Gallie” Gallagher, Indigenous actor and musician Stephen Pigram, and local vocal group The Albany Shantymen. The film’s score has been composed by Irish musician Luka Bloom.
The project continues O’Rourke’s long association with Australia, a country that has played an important role in his musical career. He first recorded songs there as a teenager and recently returned to Australia to record Oceanic, his upcoming eighth studio album.
The film features nine original songs written and performed by O’Rourke. Among them is the new single Echo, which will be released on 3 July, six days before the film’s premiere. The song serves as an early preview of Oceanic, which is scheduled for release on 16 October 2026.
According to the announcement, the album draws inspiration from O’Rourke’s experiences living and working across Ireland and Australia.
Following the release of Oceanic, O’Rourke will embark on an Irish tour this autumn. The run of dates includes performances at Cork Opera House on 8 October, Vicar Street in Dublin on 17 October, and venues in Westmeath, Mayo, Tyrone, Killarney, Ennis, Cavan, Navan and Derry throughout October and November.
The world premiere of Almost With You will take place at the Galway Film Fleadh on 9 July 2026. Echo will be released on 3 July, while Oceanic arrives on 16 October.