October 17th - November 4th, 2007
www.cainsliverpoolirishfestival.com

The line-up of this year’s Cains Liverpool Irish festival has been announced and is one of the strongest ever. Scores of events will take place which will include rock and folk music, theatre, poetry, stand up comedy, lectures and films.The festival is one of the highlights of Liverpool’s cultural calendar and is expected to play a big part in the city’s 2008 celebrations.

Events begin on October 17 and run until November 4 at a range of venues across the city.There will be a large community and education programme with Liverpool schools and community organisations participating. City brewer Cains has announced that it will sponsor the festival for the third year running.

Particular highlights include concerts by Brian Kennedy, the Dubliners and Gilbert O’Sullivan all appearing at the Philharmonic Hall. Ardal O’Hanlon, star of hit comedies Father Ted and My Hero, will be performing his unique stand up show at the Royal Court theatre.

Drama also features heavily in the programme with acclaimed plays The Lost Field and Walking the Road coming to Liverpool. The Lost Field combines two plays dealing with families sundered and re-united in bizarre circumstances.
Walking the Road, by Dermot Bolger, explores and celebrates the life of First World War Irish poet Francis Ledwidge and staring Colin O’Donoghue.

St George’s Hall will also host events for the first time with Cara Dillon, Emer Mayock and Mike McGoldrick among the acts appearing.

Local talent will also be showcased at events across the city with traditional music sessions, ceilis and band nights taking place.

Musician Ron Kavana, who has collaborated with Elvis Costello, the Pogues and the Chieftans, will perform at St Michael’s Irish centre on West Derby Road.

For the first time, a full time Festival Director has been appointed, as the event continues to grow each year and on into 2008. Anna Gilbert, festival director said: “I am delighted to be joining Cains Liverpool Irish Festival at such an exciting time and to be presenting such a wide range of events- there really is something for everyone. “The unique identity of the Liverpool Irish is something to be celebrated and honoured and I am proud to represent such high quality events which would not be possible without the invaluable support and hard work of partners, venues, sponsors and volunteers.”

Ajmail Dusanj, joint managing director of Cains, said: “Robert Cain, the founder of our brewery, originally came from Cork so we’re delighted to once again support the festival. “Liverpool is rightly proud of its strong Irish links and we think it’s fantastic that an entire festival is being devoted to celebrating this unique culture.”

Tickets for all events are on sale now and more information and line ups can found at www.cainsliverpoolirishfestival.com

PROGRAMME:

Wednesday 17 October
Dead Poets Society with guest poet Nora Connolly- Everyman Bistro
Traditional Music Sessions Pogue Mahones
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Thursday 18 October
Afternoon Tea Dance St Michael’s Irish Centre
Geraldine Judge and Teresa Jennings The Pilgrim
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Friday 19 October
The Dubliners Philharmonic Hall
Whole of the Moon- local bands The Pilgrim
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Saturday 20 October
The Irish Experience Institute of Irish Studies
Inisfree St Michael’s Irish Centre
Nollaig Casey and Arty McGlynn St George’s Hall
Brian Kennedy Philharmonic Hall
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Sunday 21 October
Moya Brennan Philharmonic Hall
Ardal O’Hanlon Royal Court Theatre
The Lost Field Everyman Bistro
Jamm Factory presents local bands Korova
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Monday 22 October
The Lost Field Everyman Bistro
October Music Project Liverpool Community College
Zoe Conway and John McIntyre St Michael’s Irish Centre
Traditional music sessions The Edinburgh
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Tuesday 23 October
The Lost Field Everyman Bistro
October Music Project Liverpool Community College
Music Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery
Children’s Arts Day St Micahel’s Irish Centre

Wednesday 24 October
Portia Coughlin Liverpool Community
October Music Project Liverpool Community College
Supper Ceili St Michael’s Irish Centre
Traditional music sessions Pogue Mahones
Jape Korova
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Thursday 25 October
Portia Coughlin Liverpool Community
October Music Project Liverpool Community College
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Friday 26 October
Portia Coughlin Liverpool Community
Ron Kavana- Irish Ways St Michael’s Irish Centre
Kensington Ceili St Sebastian’s Hall
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Saturday 27 October
Irish Arts Workshop World Musuem
Chris O’Malley and Sam Proctor album launch View 2 Gallery
Traditional music sessions Peter Kavanaghs
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Sunday 28 October
Traditional music sessions Everyman Bistro
3 course Irish dinner and folk night St Michael’s Irish Centre
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Monday 29 October
Traditional Music Sessions The Edinburgh
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Tuesday 30 October
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Wednesday 31 October
Traditional Music Sessions Pogue Mahones
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Thursday 1 November
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Friday 2 November
Emur Mayock and Mike McGoldrick St George’s Hall
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Saturday 3 November
Gilbert O’Sullivan Philharmonic Hall
Liverpool Irish Heritage coach tours Leaving from the Solna Hotel
Traditional Music Sessions Algarve Restaurant
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

Sunday 4 November
Cara Dillon St George’s Hall
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann 50th Anniversary Celebration St Michael’s Irish Centre
Jamm Factory Korova
Mike Absolom Exhibition View 2 Gallery

For more information please contact Catherine on 0151 236 7712