Liverpool Irish Festival reveals 2024 theme and programme

Liverpool Irish Festival presents a packed 10 days of cultural events and activities at venues across the city next month.

The festival, now in its 22nd year and the largest arts and culture-led festival in the UK, runs from October 17-27 and this year it is themed around the idea of ‘departures’.

Its three dozen events cover music, film, theatre, visual arts, the spoken word, children’s activities, talks, sports and walks, all celebrating Ireland’s rich heritage. Each connects with ‘departure’– whether focussed on the displacement of people or the advent of a new philosophy.

The festival opens on October 17 with a launch event at Liverpool Irish Centre where there’s an opportunity to meet the team, hear more about the programme and enjoy performances from Melody Makers, singer Sue Rynhart, poet Flora Small and soul singer Sinéad Campbell.

Ahead of the official opening, on Wednesday, October 16, bestselling author Kate Kerrigan brings her taboo-breaking one-woman show Am I Irish Yet? to the Unity Theatre.

Then on October 18, Manchán Magan appears at Liverpool Medical Institution with Arán Agus Im (Bread and Butter), a theatrical performance in which Magan bakes sourdough bread while offering insights into the wonders of the Irish language.

Above: Kate Kerrigan brings Am I Irish Yet to the Unity Theatre. Top: The Walk of the Bronze Shoes.

Liverpool Central Library is the venue for Beckett’s All That Fall: Listening Party on October 19, with a Q&A with festival coordinator Pascal O’Loughlin, while the Valley Community Theatre in Childwall Valley Road hosts Big Telly Productions’ Granny Jackson’s Dead…But Her Story Isn’t on the same date.

And author Ray Rooney launches his debut novel Devlin at Liverpool Irish Centre on October 25.

The music programme includes And So For Now Adieu, a two-hour event from Melody Makers and the George Ferguson Dance School at Sefton Park Palm House on October 20 which will feature song and dance, and a chance to join fellow musicians in an informal ‘seisiún’ at Peter Kavanagh’s in Egerton Street on October 25.

Internationally acclaimed The Armagh Rhymers feature as part of the annual Family Day at Museum of Liverpool on October 26, as well as delivering an adult performance: The Trail of Tears – Memory later the same day

Youngsters who enjoyed the tale of Brave Maeve in 2023 will be pleased to learn that a second children’s volume will be released this year, with readings at Central Library on October 19 and an exhibition at St Helen’s Library from October 7 to November 30.

Meanwhile the Bluecoat Display Centre is holding an exhibition of Irish work throughout the festival.

Above: The Bluecoat Display Centre is showcasing Irish work during the festival

In addition, head to the John Michel’s Pitch at Greenbank on October 19 to try a spot of Gaelic football, listen to one of the festival’s talks or lectures, join a walking tour – or take part in the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail Vigil on October 27 as part of the annual Walk of the Bronze Shoes.

Festival chief executive and artistic director Emma Smith says: “As in previous years, the Liverpool Irish Festival brings Liverpool and Ireland closer together using arts and culture.

“Departures allows us to consider ideas and philosophies that are core to the Irish experience. As the third largest migrant community in England, the Irish are aware of how challenging (and damaging) assumptions can be.

“As we navigate our collective and individual identity — post-Brexit, post-Culture Wars and with new post-colonial language and approaches — we have a responsibility to share stories that might help people today.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised at some of the difficulties witnessed recently; by further unpicking class-division, fears around wealth and growing intolerances we can help to build a stronger, more cohesive community. The work we’ve selected for #LIF2024 helps us shine a light on such conversations and invites all people to engage with their own identity.”

Liverpool Irish Festival takes place from October 17-27. For the full programme visit the website HERE