October 3rd – November 2nd, 2008
www.liverpoolirishfestival.com

THE LINE-UP for this year’s Liverpool Irish festival was recently announced - and is one of the most diverse in its history. Music, drama, poetry, comedy, art and sport are among the offerings at the festival which begins on 17 October.

Ferry company Norfolkline is this year’s main festival sponsors.

Highlights this year include comedian Ed Byrne and performances from musicians Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey and legendary Irish/American group, Solas.

Seamus Heaney’s modern opera, Burial at Thebes, will be performed at the Philharmonic Hall and award winning theatre company, Fishamble, are presenting ‘Forgotten’ at the Unity theatre.

Geoff Hughes, who starred as Twiggy in the Royal Family, is hosting a Liverpool Irish family concert at the Philharmonic Hall featuring dancing, songs and stories.

Acclaimed authors Dermot Bolger and Sebastian Barry will be reading from and discussing their works.

Education continues to play a significant role in the festival with lectures and talks taking place and links with city universities at the Institute of Irish Studies and Cornerstone at Hope.

The festival will join with Merseyside Black History month to present ‘Similarities and Differences’- a musical exploration of the two vibrant Liverpool communities and their struggle to overcome prejudice and change perceptions.

Festival director, Jake Roney, said: “We’re really proud of the line up this year and there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

“Our aim was to compile a really strong programme for Capital of Culture year so that we could add something unique and special to what is happening across Liverpool.

“With Norfolkline as our sponsor this year we are looking to increase festival awareness and attendance on both sides of the Irish sea.”

Other events include a Celtic folk roots battle of the bands which will take place for the first time in festival history and interested acts are invited to take part.

A special exhibition about The Beatles Irish heritage will be on display at The Beatles Story.

Traditional music sessions are taking place across the city throughout the festival durations.  Venues include Peter Kavanagh’s, The Blackburne Arms and The Casa.

Passengers travelling on some Norfolkline ferries will hear young musicians from the Liverpool branch of Comhaltas performing during crossings.

Diane Poole, general manager passenger services said “We are really excited about working with the Liverpool Irish Festival and on the activities planned.”

“Norfolkline are looking forward to growing our business and to assist in growing the tourism sector in Liverpool as Capital of Culture in 2008.  We are delighted to be able to welcome customers onboard and bring them to the great events at the Festival.”

The popularity of Gaelic football in Liverpool is being celebrated with a an exhibition match at John Mitchel’s GFC- who are the reigning British champions in both ladies and mens competitions.

The Norfolkline Liverpool Irish festival is now in its sixth year and is going from strength to strength with events occurring throughout the year for the first time in 2008.

For more information please visit www.liverpoolirishfestival.com or call 07804 286 145
For more information please contact Catherine on 0151 237 2810

FULL LINE UP BELOW:
Chris O’Malley and Sam Proctor- 03 October 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

Battle of the Bands - Heats- 03 October 2008, The Pilgrim

Battle of the Bands - Heats- 10 October 2008, The Pilgrim

Afternoon Tea Dance- 16 October 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

Burial at Thebes- 17 October 2008, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Leg of Lamb- 17 October 2008, Cornerstone, Hope University

Battle of the Bands - Heats- 17 October 2008, The Pilgrim

Traditional Music Session- 17 October 2008, The Blackburne Arms

Traditional Music Session- 17 October 2008, Peter Kavanagh’s

Band on the Boat- 17 October 2008, Norfolkline Ferry

Mike Absalom Exhibition- 17 October 2008, The Everyman Bistro

Brewery Tours at Cains Brewery- 17 October 2008, Cains Brewery

Reflecting Livepool and Ireland- 17 October 2008, Editions Gallery

Pottery Exhibition - Paul McGrath- 17 October 2008, James William Carling Gallery

Finbar Coyle: Artwork- 17 October 2008, The Casa

The Art of Sound- 17 October 2008, Contemporary Urban Centre

James William Carling - Street Artist Competition -18 October 2008, Ropewalks Square

Chapter & Verse Festival- 18 October 2008, The Bluecoat

Heritage Walking Tour - North City Centre- 18 October 2008, St Luke’s Church

Mick Hanley- 18 October 2008, Rodewald Suite, Philharmonic Hall

Leg of Lamb- 18 October 2008, Cornerstone, Hope University

Christy Moore and Declan Sinnott- 18 October 2008, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Traditional Music Session- 18 October 2008, The Blackburne Arms

Traditional Music Session- 18 October 2008, Peter Kavanagh’s

The Beatles Story- 18 October 2008, Britannia Pavilion

Heritage Walking Tour - South City Centre- 19 October 2008, St Luke’s Church

Mick Hanley- 19 October 2008, Rodewald Suite, Philharmonic Hall

Traditional Music Session- 19 October 2008, The Casa

Youth of the North- 19 October 2008, The Casa

Christy Moore and Declan Sinnott- 19 October 2008, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Band on the Boat- 19 October 2008, Norfolkline Ferry

Dermot Bolger & Sebastian Barry- 20 October 2008, The Cornerstone, Hope University

The Edinburgh Sessions- 20 October 2008, The Edinburgh

Forgotten- 21 October 2008, Unity Theatre

Children’s Music Workshop- 22 October 2008, The Beatles Story

Fergal Keane - The Penance of Memory- 22 October 2008, The Institute of Irish Studies

Forgotten- 22 October 2008, Unity Theatre

Traditional Music Session- 24 October 2008, The Beatles Story

Kensington Ceili- 24 October 2008, St Sebatian’s Parish Hall

Battle of the Bands - Final- 24 October 2008, The Pilgrim

Traditional Music Session- 24 October 2008, The Blackburne Arms

The Liverpool Irish Experience- 25 October 2008, The Everyman Bistro

Irish Arts Day- 25 October 2008, World Museum

Gaelic Football- 25 October 2008, Greenbank Park

Children’s Music Workshop- 25 October 2008, The Beatles Story

All Star Concert- 25 October 2008, St Bride’s Church

Traditional Music Session- 25 October 2008, The Blackburne Arms

Telling the Story- 26 October 2008, Treasure House Theatre, World Museum

Three Course Irish Dinner- 26 October 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

Family Concert- 26 October 2008, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Ed Byrne- 26 October 2008, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool

An Evening With James Joyce- 27 October 2008, The Casa

The Edingburgh Sessions- 27 October 2008, The Edinburgh

Discovering the Liverpool Irish- 28 October 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

Irish Ceili and Supper- 29 October 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

James Larkin Evening- 30 October 2008, The Casa

Similarities and Differences- 30 October 2008, St Georges Hall Concert Room

Capital Nights- 30 October 2008, The Liverpool Playhouse

Damien Dempsey with Ian Prowse- 31 October 2008, The Picket

Traditional Music Session- 31 October 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

Heritage Coach Tour- 01 November 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

Solas + Trad Irish Disco!- 01 November 2008, The Picket

Comhaltas Afternoon Concert- 02 November 2008, St Michael’s Irish Centre

The Leeds/Liverpool Connection- 02 November 2008, The Silvestrian Centre