Event type: Comedy

Come along to the Liverpool Irish Centre for a very special coffee morning. 2024 marks 25-years in our current location. We’re preparing to celebrate by reminiscing about the important role the Centre has played within the Liverpool Irish community.

We invite you to share your memories of the old Irish Centre (the Wellington Rooms) at Mount Pleasant and the current Irish Centre. There will be mini exhibitions of memorabilia, photographs and videos. If you have anything to contribute, you’re welcome to bring it along. Sandwiches and cakes will be provided by Homebaked (Anfield).

The event is completely free, but please contact us if you wish to attend with any dietary requirements so we can cater for all: Email louise@liverpoolirishcentre.org or call +44(0)151 263 1808.

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In 2021, Liverpool Irish Festival began our custodianship of the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail.

We formed a volunteer History Research Group (who’ve since undertaken 1,300+ hours of research) and released a book: Liverpool Irish Famine Trail: Revive (available in the Museum’s gift shop or online).

Having trained the group in tour creation and management -and thoroughly researching the objects on display- the History Research Group will lead tours of the Museum of Liverpool’s Irish objects.

Visitors who book for these in-person tour will additionally take in the Pilotage Building, just outside the Museum.  Tours are anticipated to take approximately 45-60mins, depending on audience questions. These activities have been made possible with funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Visitors can undertake the Irish objects tour as a self-guided trail, which requires no booking (see guide map). Paper maps can be collected (for free) from leaflet holders at the Museum.

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Two tours will leave at 10.30am, 12pm and 2.30pm, Sat 21 Oct, Museum of Liverpool. Meet under the Atrium’s big screen.

Made possible with funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund logo.

On 21 Oct 2021, Liverpool (and Ireland) lost a great Irish Language supporter; Tony Birtill. His invaluable contribution to the conservation, promotion and teaching of the Irish Language on Merseyside will be remembered for many years to come.

A Gaeilgeoir (fluent Irish speaker) and walking enthusiast, Tony was also a keen historian, linguist and educator. Marking two years since he passed, this lecture celebrates a life cruelly cut short. Tony’s library (maintained at the Liverpool Irish Centre) was created by Conradh Na Gaeilge Learpholl in May 2022. It’s open for use by all those with an interest in the Irish language.

Conradh na Gaeilge Liverpool and the Liverpool Irish Festival have jointly organised this event. It will fall on Tony’s anniversary, to celebrate his life and his legacy. Enter to music from Tony’s friends; before hearing from those who knew Tony best, in a space he knew all too well. This year’s memorial lecture: Comrádaí agus Deartháir (Comrade and Brother) will be, fittingly, delivered by his sister Angela Birtill.

More on Tony, here.

Irish poet and author, Pascal O’Loughlin, and National Poetry Librarian, Chis McCabe, lead an informal writing and reading workshop inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses.

2023 marks over a century since its first publication in Paris and 90-years since the United States District Court ruled Ulysses not to be obscene. The latter judgement opened the doors for its first mass market editions.

In this workshop, participants will look at Irish experimental writing from the 20th and 21st centuries. Through close reading and loose, informal exploration we’ll investigate how modes of writing outside the mainstream can add to our reading and writing practices, enriching our art and having fun on the way.

By the end of the day attendees will have:

investigated new and exciting ways to describe the world around them and their very particular and peculiar place in it
explored the limits of language where the unsayable and the indescribable somehow are said, somehow are described
pondered how failure and success in writing are opposite sides of the same coin
developed new practices to carry into their writing and reading lives.

The workshop is suitable for writers aged 16+, with some experience of creative writing, who are serious about their craft. It’s not necessary to be previously published.

It would be advantageous for participants to have an understanding of the importance of Ulysses to contemporary literature (but a close read of the Ulysses Wikipedia entry would suffice). The workshop leaders suggest RTÉ’s 1982 radio version as an additional starting point, available here. Highly recommended (though with a note of caution about explicit content) for its style and expression, is Episode 18, which works as a standalone piece.

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A Festival-staple and 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 team up with Melody Makers, to produce junior and senior dance sets.

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 (bookable separately). Visitors should also watch our for photo opportunities with Brave Maeve and creator Stu Harrison.

The day puts the Irish of Liverpool at the heart of everything; the programme, the Museum and the city.
Atrium schedule (subject to change):
11:00 Bolger Cunningham Dance School
12:00 The Armagh Rhymers
13:00-13:15 Little Globy poetry
13:20 The Armagh Rhymers
14:20 Melody Makers and the George Ferguson School for Irish Dance junior set
15:05 Break/Little Globy poetry
15:15 Melody Makers and the George Ferguson School for Irish Dance adult set
16:00 The Armagh Rhymers.

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 29 Oct).

The Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival are delighted to announce our 2023 maker: Níamh Grimes. This continues our annual In The Window partnership.
About the artist
A recent graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University, Níamh is an artist jeweller. Her work explores ideas of folk history, tactile memory and ritual. Specialising in metal casting -used in conjunction with other jewellery making processes- Níamh creates wearable objects. In each she celebrates the magical thinking of bygone days, in an endeavor to nurture belonging and protection.

Níamh incorporates inherited and found objects into her -often talismanic- works. Doing so provides a vehicle to preserve and reimagine stories and customs of the past. Such objects have recently included salt crystals, quenched coal and vials of anointed oil. These are then set into elements of cast brass.

The pieces  explore how traditional Irish -and superstitious folk customs  often relating to ‘the Otherworld’- inspires Níamh’s making of contemporary, ritual objects.
Connectivity
The resulting pieces intend to incite ‘ancestorial’ connection. By this, we mean the connection(s) we can make to our heritage via past generations through things we know they did, saw or felt. By rethinking and reproducing the protective practices used by these generations -and linking them with contemporary making- Níamh connects wearers to the past. Material connection (e.g., handling the metal or coal) is one aspect of engaging in the past, whilst fixing a piece to your clothing and adding coal, heat or other items or elements layers connectivity. Further, seeing or feeling the effects of the piece, such as the coal markings or warmth, continue the process of connection; engaging us in the same things our forebears saw or felt.

Spanning the month, Niamh’s pieces will be available to view throughout October, with a blend of exhibition and retail pieces. Watch out for an article from Niamh (on this site) and also our Meet the Maker event, at Bluecoat Display Centre,  at 11am on Fri 20 Oct 2023.
Artistic statement and theme
Each year the Liverpool Irish Festival sets a programme theme. Past themes have included hunger, exchange, unique stories; creatively told, migration, the meaning of ‘Irishness’ and conviviality. To build the theme, we pose questions to help us interrogate and understand Irishness, its influence and its creative spirit. 2023’s theme is ‘Anniversary’ – read more here.
In the Window partnership
Bluecoat Display Centre is an independent, regional centre for artistic activity. It brings together craft makers and audiences, in an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Based in Liverpool city centre, Bluecoat Display Centre runs a gallery as well as education and community outreach programmes. It’s been a registered charity since 2010. The Centre provides a retail platform for 60+ local and 300+ nationally selected contemporary craft makers and designers. Established as one of England’s earliest craft and design galleries (1959), Bluecoat Display Centre was the first public gallery space within The Bluecoat. It’s an advocate, facilitator and audience maker for contemporary crafts.

Liverpool Irish Festival brings Liverpool and Ireland closer together using arts and culture. It is this use of arts and culture as an instrument for observing, learning, sharing and debating Irishness, in the particular context of Liverpool, which makes us unique. We represent Northern Ireland, the Republic and the Irish diaspora’s creativity throughout the Festival. Our thematic approach to programming, critical-thought and curation develops depth, resonance and inclusion. In this context, we believe the Liverpool Irish Festival is the only Irish arts and culture led festival in the world. We can’t find another!

Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival have partnered on In The Window events for October for many years. Together, they have presented work from Laura Matikaite, Mike Byrne, Sophie Longwill, Rory Shearer, Christy Keeney, Berina Kelly and Catherine Keenan, among others.

Image: Lace caged coal brooch, Níamh Grimes, 2023.

Bluecoat Display Centre logo

The Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival are delighted to announce our 2023 maker: Níamh Grimes. This continues our annual In The Window partnership.

This event provides visitors with the chance to chat with Níamh directly about her work. Refreshments will be provided on arrival.

Friends of the Bluecoat Display Centre will receive a 10% discount on all purchases during the event.

Booking is required. Please call +44(0) 151 709 4014, to book a place, or stop by the gallery to reserve a space with a member of staff.

This event has a recommended donation price of £10 per ticket, providing a speaker fee for Níamh.
About the artist
A recent graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University, Níamh is an artist jeweller. Her work explores ideas of folk history, tactile memory and ritual. Specialising in metal casting -used in conjunction with other jewellery making processes- Níamh creates wearable objects. In each she celebrates the magical thinking of bygone days, in an endeavor to nurture belonging and protection.

Níamh incorporates inherited and found objects into her -often talismanic- works. Doing so provides a vehicle to preserve and reimagine stories and customs of the past. Such objects have recently included salt crystals, quenched coal and vials of anointed oil. These are then set into elements of cast brass.

The pieces  explore how traditional Irish -and superstitious folk customs  often relating to ‘the Otherworld’- inspires Níamh’s making of contemporary, ritual objects.
Connectivity
The resulting pieces intend to incite ‘ancestorial’ connection. By this, we mean the connection(s) we can make to our heritage via past generations through things we know they did, saw or felt. By rethinking and reproducing the protective practices used by these generations -and linking them with contemporary making- Níamh connects wearers to the past. Material connection (e.g., handling the metal or coal) is one aspect of engaging in the past, whilst fixing a piece to your clothing and adding coal, heat or other items or elements layers connectivity. Further, seeing or feeling the effects of the piece, such as the coal markings or warmth, continue the process of connection; engaging us in the same things our forebears saw or felt.

Spanning the month, Niamh’s pieces will be available to view throughout October, with a blend of exhibition and retail pieces. Watch out for an article from Niamh (on this site) and also our Meet the Maker event, at Bluecoat Display Centre,  at 11am on Fri 20 Oct 2023.
Artistic statement and theme
Each year the Liverpool Irish Festival sets a programme theme. Past themes have included hunger, exchange, unique stories; creatively told, migration, the meaning of ‘Irishness’ and conviviality. To build the theme, we pose questions to help us interrogate and understand Irishness, its influence and its creative spirit. 2023’s theme is ‘Anniversary’ – read more here.
In the Window partnership
Bluecoat Display Centre is an independent, regional centre for artistic activity. It brings together craft makers and audiences, in an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Based in Liverpool city centre, Bluecoat Display Centre runs a gallery as well as education and community outreach programmes. It’s been a registered charity since 2010. The Centre provides a retail platform for 60+ local and 300+ nationally selected contemporary craft makers and designers. Established as one of England’s earliest craft and design galleries (1959), Bluecoat Display Centre was the first public gallery space within The Bluecoat. It’s an advocate, facilitator and audience maker for contemporary crafts.

Liverpool Irish Festival brings Liverpool and Ireland closer together using arts and culture. It is this use of arts and culture as an instrument for observing, learning, sharing and debating Irishness, in the particular context of Liverpool, which makes us unique. We represent Northern Ireland, the Republic and the Irish diaspora’s creativity throughout the Festival. Our thematic approach to programming, critical-thought and curation develops depth, resonance and inclusion. In this context, we believe the Liverpool Irish Festival is the only Irish arts and culture led festival in the world. We can’t find another!

Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival have partnered on In The Window events for October for many years. Together, they have presented work from Laura Matikaite, Mike Byrne, Sophie Longwill, Rory Shearer, Christy Keeney, Berina Kelly and Catherine Keenan, among others.

Image: Lace caged coal brooch, Níamh Grimes, 2023.

Bluecoat Display Centre logo

This concert sees internationally-renowned traditional Irish band The London Lasses celebrating the release of their 25th Anniversary Album, LL25.

Featuring all new material, it includes both past and present band members. Since first getting together for an informal tour of the US (1997), the band have performed at some of the biggest festivals and venues in the world. This includes The Royal Albert Hall (London), where they played the first ever BBC Proms céilí, Cambridge Folk Festival, Dublin City Hall, The Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Philadelphia Irish Festival and Glastonbury.

It’s been 13 years since they last performed at Liverpool Irish Festival (when they hosted a sell-out night at Sefton Park Palm House). This is a reunion you won’t want to miss and a fitting opener for the launch night of the Festival.

Culture Ireland have supported this event.

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Completely informal opportunity to come a long for a tune.

The first seisiún of two in the Festival, the other takes place the following Fri (27 Oct 2022) – again at PK’s.

Bring an instrument, your voice and a will to play along. There’ll be Festival friends to help bring the gang together, whilst a fully stocked bar -in one of the most historic and quirkiest pubs in Liverpool- eases you towards the dawn. This event gets busy quickly and sometimes it is ‘standing room only’, so be prepared to ‘hotch up’ and swap places so everyone can get a piece of the action.

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Dir. Ciara Nic Chormaic (2023). Irish language with English subtitles
UK Premiere of Ó Bhéal, introduced by Mick Hannigan (IndieCork Film Festival) in celebration of 50-years of hip-hop.

Ó Bhéal -meaning ‘Oral’-is a cinematic exploration of the rise of hip-hop and electronic artists in Ireland. Embracing oral traditions of folklore, ancient poetry and sean-nós singing, it’s created a new fusion sound, a culture clash through music.

An ensemble piece, the film features Irish-language rappers Seán ‘Mory’ Ó Muirgheasa and Oisín Mac, producer and multi-instrumentalist Fehdah, and Limerick rapper Strange Boy. This beautiful black and white film delves deep into these four artists’ process and how they are breaking new ground in Irish music. Through insightful interviews, intimate portrayals of the creative process of each artist as they work on tracks in studio, and visceral live performances, Ó Bhéal tells the story of a moment in time in the Irish musical landscape.

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More info, here.

Interested in position on race equality? You might be interested in our recent Race Equality Manifesto signing.