In 2023 she was taken on an amazing adventure, through Irish folklore, when something is stolen from her Grandad Mac by a pesky púca. Now she’s back, returning a lost item from the Famine to an Irish King lost in the annals of time!
In this richly illustrated (second) book, the reading will be voiced by author and artist Stu Harrison. Witty, energetic and designed for kids aged 7-11, this is a fun event to spend with a child in your life.
Stu will bring some of his illustrated cut outs, so kids can pose with a sword, Brave Maeve and púca. Bring your cameras! Book copies will be available.
This event was made possible via a co-commissioning fund, in partnership with Gael Linn, An tUltach and Gaelbhratach.
We’re overjoyed to be welcoming the masterful contemporary Irish folk artist John Francis Flynn to the region, in association with Now Wave. The singer and multi-instrumentalist masterfully unpicks traditional folk songs and rearranges them with an emotional force. They float in a surreal space between the past and the present, the analogue and the digital, between love and tragedy.
John’s debut album I Would Not Live Always was released on Rough Trade imprint River Lea Records in 2020, earning rave reviews and winning two awards at the RTÉ Folk Awards.
His new album, Look Over the Wall, See The Sky is a reimagining of traditional Irish music: powerful, hopeful and free. Picking up where his critically acclaimed debut left off, the forthcoming LP is a sprawling soundscape of unconventional instruments and jagged arrangements, granting the songs a certain sense of magnetism that draws listeners into its curious orbit of experimental folk.
This is a co-promoted event between Liverpool Irish Festival, Future Yard and Now Wave. Future Yard is a brilliant venue, with great green credentials; we recommend anyone taking a visit.
Complementing our work on the annual Liverpool Irish Famine Memorial, this year’s Walk of the Bronze Shoes has created a new annual opportunity. ❤️??
For those who don’t know, members of our Festival team walked a pair of bronze shoes from Co Roscommon (northwest Ireland) to Dublin (east coast of Ireland); sailed them to Holyhead and took them from Seacombe to Mersey Ports, before walking them to Clarence Dock Gates and on to the Famine Memorial. Why?
The bronze shoes are a marker of the National Famine Way in Ireland and Liverpool’s pair — teamed with 15-pairs in North America — are the first to form the Global Irish Famine Way.
Clarence Dock is where 1.3+m Irish Famine poor came into Liverpool. The Liverpool Irish Famine Memorial (unveiled in 1998) at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church remembers the 300k+that stayed in Liverpool, the 1m+ that sailed over seas and the 2m+ that died. The journey between the two locations is indicative of the struggles of those sent here.
We’ll repeat the Clarence Dock to St Luke’s Bombed Out Church walk annually, with the shoes, until we find them a permanent home and we welcome you to join us. A vigil map and order of service will be given to those who join us. This in an outdoor walk in October; please be weather prepared, comfortable and hydrated.
Stewards will help people walk the way and maps and information will be provided at the site on the morning. A small ceremony will start the vigil, with walkers from the Walk of the Bronze Shoes, and we will be greeted at the memorial site by the Roscommon Solstice Choir (County Roscommon). We thank them for their support.
This activity has been made possible with funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more on the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail, use this link.
Meeting point
We ask people to join us from 10.15am. Please note the location provided for this is the destination, not the meeting place. Please congregate at Clarence Dock Gates, on the water side of Regent Road, facing the junction of Cotton Street.
Over the last couple of years, Liverpool Irish Festival has been working on revitalising the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail, which includes the Irish Famine Memorial. ❤️??
Today, the Liverpool Great Hunger Commemoration Committee, Conradh Na Gaeilge Learpholl and Liverpool Irish Centre, in partnership with the Festival, lead a Famine Memorial Service to mark the seven-years of An Gorta Mór (the Great Hunger) across Ireland, lasting 1845-1852.
Along with speeches, and a minute’s silence, we’ll reveal a new song, The Ullaloo. commissioned especially for the Irish Famine Memorial and shared with the Liverpool Irish Centre choir, by local musicians Ian Cantwell and Marty Snape.
Everyone is welcome. Nevertheless, please note that this is an outside event, and we may have difficulties with sound if it is rainy or windy. We recommend dressing for the weather and bringing seats or walking aids as needed. This is a standing service of roughly 30-minutes. We won’t have chairs available for everyone. People may gather in advance of the service.
These activities have been made possible with funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
For more on the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail, use this link.
Comhaltas and the Armagh Rhymers take it in turns playing (spooky) fun games and music, to dance and play along with, whilst the veil between our world and ‘the Other’ is at its thinnest. ❤️?
Bring the kids in their best creepy dress-up (or not) and adults are welcome to join in, too.
With 50 free gift bags for the first 50 children — and scarily silly prizes for best Samhain costumes — we encourage eye patches and false teeth, skull masks and props (store bought or otherwise). Grab the face paint, some spider webs and last year’s glitter slime; practice your deepest, scariest ‘Wohooo’ and get your dancing feet ready for the silliest Monster’s Ball of the season!
Activities are mainly geared for children 4-12 years old, with supervision. Kids aged 13-113 years old are welcome but require child-supervision! Only pretend broken hips on this dance floor, please!
This event is held in partnership with Liverpool Irish Centre with support from Comhaltas’s musicians.
NB. This is a busy event and gets very loud; this can be difficult for anyone with hearing impairments or types of neurodivergency. As a free event we do our best to cater for everyone, but there will be a finite amount of space and treats available. We do not offer catering, though the Centre’s shop does have a great range of snacks.
Honouring Indigenous Aid During Ireland’s Great Hunger
Professor Christine Kinealy of Quinnipiac University (Connecticut, USA) presents evidence on First Nations of North America contributions to the 1840s Great Hunger Relief fund, despite their own recent displacement following The Trail of Tears. ❤️??
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Great Hunger (1845-1852) was how news of the suffering in Ireland prompted an international relief effort, unprecedented in its geographic scope. People throughout the world, many without direct connections to Ireland, mobilised to provide money, food and clothing to the starving Irish. Aid came from all parts of the world and donors cut across traditional religious, social, economic and gender divides. Some of the most impressive donations were made by people who were themselves poor and marginalised.
This presentation will explore the origins and motivations behind a number of these philanthropic interventions. Additionally, it will share new examinations of recently discovered archival records, documenting the 1847 Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee First Nations’ contributions from Canada West (now Ontario), whilst offering a fresh perspective on the more widely commemorated Native American Choctaw and Cherokee donations.
This event is held in partnership with Irish Heritage Trust, National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park and Quinnipiac University. Dr Jason King (Irish Heritage Trust) and Professor Kinealy both completed Irish sections of the Walk of the Bronze Shoes, 2024.
I bhfoscadh a chéile maireann muid/In each other’s shelter we survive. ♀️❤️?
The Sunflower Project began with the aim of working with people impacted by Mother and Baby institutions.
This film follows participants in The Sunflower Project which began in January 2022. The aim was to provide a safe space to work with people impacted by mother and baby institutions using the arts to explore their experiences. The project was delivered by Sole Purpose Productions and managed by Artistic Director, Patricia Byrne. Sessions were facilitated by Shauna Kelpie, a theatre practitioner; Colette Ramsey, a researcher experienced in working in mental health with a trauma informed approach, and Brónagh Corr, an artist who creates participative and public artworks. This film shows their moving and poignant journey to letting go of shame.
“There was always a feeling of shame in having been associated with these institutions, through this project and support of everyone involved, I for one and I’m sure the others feel the same, now know that the shame has totally disappeared”, Participant.
The project is supported by The Ideas Fund which is delivered by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome. Sole Purpose Productions is core funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
What can you expect?
Visitors to today’s event can expect a warm and gentle welcome. The film — In Each Other’s Shelter We Survive — will last 1hr4mins and will be introduced by members of the #LIF2024 team and members of Fréa’s Renewing Roots programme. Afterwards, people can stay in the space and speak to team. A list of survivor services can be found below and will be made available at the event.
Trailer
Gratitude
Fréa have supported the delivery of this event, but significant thanks go to Sole Purpose, who brought this project and work to our attention and secured the use of the film, when mainstream funding was not available. We are proud to be able to show it, in tandem with Stolen.
Support Services
If you — or someone you know — is affected by our event or literature, please consider consulting one of the following services:
Connect Counselling: An anonymous professional telephone counselling service for survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Freephone in the UK and Northern Ireland +44 (0) 800 477 477 77 connectcounselling.ie
ICAP: ICAP is the only specialist British-based counselling and psychotherapy service supporting people from the Irish community. They help people facing a range of emotional issues, including depression, anxiety and stress. Helpline: +44 (0) 207 272 7906 icap.org.uk
Irish Community Care and/or Fréa: Assisting with gaining access to the Irish Government’s payment scheme for mothers and children who were resident in specific institutions, they also offer some advice in accessing records and other aspects of the redress scheme. There is more information here: frea.org.uk/motherandbabyhomes
Justice for Magdalenes Research: A resource for people affected by and interested in Ireland’s Magdelene Institutions, is accessible here: jfmreasearch.com
Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: To access the Irish Government’s report and additional information, visit gov.ie/en/collection/mbhcoi
My Data Rights: A resource for people affected by the ‘historical’ human rights violations in Ireland. They provide information for survivors of the Irish industrial and reformatory schools. This includes information about using GDPR protocols to gain access to personal information. The website contains downloadable guides and template letters for requesting personal data and for complaining to the Data Protection Commission if necessary. This is a project of the Human Rights Law Clinic at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway mydatarights.ie
Samaritans, The: The Samaritans offer a non-judgmental listening service, whatever you are going through. Call free, 24-7 in the UK, on 116 123 samaritans.org
Sexual Violence Support (Northwest): A service to help locate the relevant support services for those who have suffered sexual violence across the Northwest: sexualviolencesupport.co.uk
Survivors Trust, The: The Survivors Trust has 120 member organisations based in the UK and Ireland which provide specialist support for women, men & children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse
Tuam Home Survivors Network: Survivors helping survivors tuamhomesurvivors.com.
This information was tested and accessible on 4 Sept 2023. It is not an exhaustive list of services available. You are not alone. Make contact. You will be heard.
This 2-hour walk through the former heartland of Liverpool’s Irish community considers schools, statues and graveyards. ❤️??
It explores what remains of the area’s rich heritage, rousing some old ghosts along the way.
Led by historian Greg Quiery, this walk explores the dense history of a world-famous district. Featuring stories of heroic men and women; footballers and rock stars; two hidden statues; a graveyard and the legends of ‘Dandy Pat’ and James Carling. The walk ends at St Anthony’s Church, a short bus ride from town.
Those interested in this walk, may also be interested in the in-person South Liverpool walk (see event listing and book early to avoid disappointment) or the self-guided Liverpool Irish Famine Trail, accompanied by the Festival’s book Liverpool Irish Famine Trail: Revive, available online.
This in an outdoor walk in October; please be weather prepared, comfortable and hydrated.
Ticket holders should join Greg outside Liverpool Central Library ready for the walk start time.
Cancellation announcement
We are sorry to announce this event will not be taking place in 2024. We hope to bring it back for #LIF2025. The Liverpool Irish Festival team are very sorry for any disappointment caused. The Armagh Rhymers will be involved in our Family Day and Samhain Céilí.
Original event text
The Armagh Rhymers will take you on ‘The Wren’s Journey’ to seek wisdom and aid from the Choctaw Eagle through poetry, theatre, music and song.
“Bear in mind these dead, I can find no plainer words I dare not risk using that loaded word remember”, John Hewitt. ️❤️??
A commemoration of those lost and those who gave themselves in friendship.
The Rhyming tradition is a celebration of the ‘theatre of the people’ and has inspired many poets such as Seamus Heaney, Brendan Kennelly, John Montague and John Hewitt. The Armagh Rhymers are one of the most celebrated theatre ensembles on the island of Ireland. Through storytelling, music, and incredible costume, they evoke a sense of tradition and history. They encapsulate the spirit of ‘The Wren Boys’ and the ancient house visiting traditions of Ireland, where the kitchen floor became the stage.
“Symbol of the mystic people is the wren, and this is the truth of the Wren Boys and we must pass it on in the carnival of darkness, singers of the Sun”, Gabriel Fitzmaurice.
You can also see The Armagh Rhymers at our Family Day at Museum of Liverpool, 26 Oct 2024. Those interested in the First nations story, might also be interested in our event on Mon 28 Oct: The Poor Helping the Poor.
A Festival-staple and family must-see; we invite you to pop-by — or indeed, spend the day with us — at the Museum of Liverpool (Pier Head). ❤️??
There, we’ve a veritable array of activity to entertain kids (and adults) of all ages.
The Armagh Rhymers return with their (exclusive to the Festival) Liver Bird story. We’ll introduce visitors to Little Globy, a carbon boffin-extraordinaire and a global ambassador for green action. The Bolger-Cunningham Dance School will give it their all in the morning, before the George Ferguson School for Irish Dance will produce junior and senior dance sets, whilst Melody Makers and Comhaltas will bring their intergenerational group to play in the space.
There’ll be craft workshops in education spaces and Irish Trails through the Museum’s collections, led by volunteers from the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail.
The day puts the Irish of Liverpool at the heart of everything; the programme, the Museum and the city.
Atrium schedule (subject to change):
11-11.30am Bolger Cunningham Dance School
11.35-12.20pm Armagh Rhymers
12.20-1.05pm Melody Makers
1.05-1.15pm Little Globy poetry
1.30pm-2.15pm Armagh Rhymers
2.15pm-3pm TBC
3.15-3.45pm George Ferguson Dance School
4pm Little Globy poetry.
The Family Day is sponsored by Tourism Ireland and held in partnership with National Museums Liverpool. As part of the Family programme, you might also like the Samhain Céilí (Sun 27 Oct).
Keep in touch
Newsletter
Sign up to keep up to date with what's on in the city and the region!
