Event type: Comedy

The Breath is Stuart McCallum (ex-guitarist of The Cinematic Orchestra), Irish singer Rioghnach Connolly, fellow Cinematic alumnus pianist John Ellis and drummer Elliot Bennett.

Mixing Irish folk influences with mesmerizing guitar riffs, anthemic themes and powerful hooks, Connolly’s soulful vocals are interwoven into the electronic fabric of McCallum’s distinctive sound-world. In turns hypnotic, lush, powerfully raw and raucously punchy, their songs enter, uplift and break your heart as The Breath conjure a kaleidoscope of sound that perfectly frames Connolly’s raw songs and soul-cleansing vocals. While original lyrics pour forth from her in a torrent of meaning, she sings songs of birth and death, woman’s rights, first love, the call of motherhood, the death of men at sea and post-colonial wrongs.

Returning once again, Alan O’Hare (Only Child) hosts a mic night of music, slam poetry and beats from the best of open mic contributors at The Magnet, the bar Noel Gallagher called the “the best club in the UK for future Rock and Roll stars”.

Festival favourites, Only Child appear with String Quartet and special guests Limerance and Rachael Jean Harris.

Only Child have released two albums and two EPs since 2012 and have headlined Liverpool’s The Music Room, View Two Gallery, Zanzibar Club and The Magnet, among others. For this special concert Only Child will be accompanied by a string quartet to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the group’s debut gig.

‘Violin, voices and electric piano echo one another, both playful and mournfully. It’s beautifully haunting, as the band falls away leaving just strings’ – Liverpool Acoustic

The year is 1867.

Edward Brett and his Irish wife, Eliza are struggling to make a living from their small shop. Edward’s brother, a popular policeman, is shot dead during the rescue of two Irish Republican prisoners in Manchester. A huge upsurge of anti-Irish feeling sweeps the country and three Irishmen are publicly hanged. Edward and Eliza struggle to cope with their personal loss, their loyalty to each other and their different cultural backgrounds.

Written to coincide with the 150th anniversary of real events, the play explores dilemmas that are still very relevant today. Written by Eileen Murphy, directed by Chris Honer and performed by Straightforward Theatre. @sftheatre

Celebrate the Liverpool Irish Festival with family and friends in a day incorporating music, talks and activities for everyone to enjoy, across the day.

Delivered in partnership with National Museums Liverpool, with contributions from Liverpool Comhaltas (celebrating their 60th anniversary) Melody Makers and the Institute of Irish Studies at University of Liverpool this is a true highlight of the festival, where culture sharing, enjoyment and conviviality are at the centre of all we do.

Across the day, there will be various activities, including:

Carmel Uí Cheallaigh/Kelly

(Galway, ROI) reading from her Gaelic and English children’s books in the morning

Alison Little

will run mask making workshops throughout the day

VICA

Professor Mary Hickman chairs a Votes for Irish Citizens Abroad panel in the morning. The discussion and Q&A highlights the rights held by the Irish diaspora currently, what future referenda are considering and what Irish citizenship means/could mean – today and in future

Script Shop

…help pass the afternoon, performing two plays linking Liverpool and Ireland; Settled Score (Graham Scott) about a nurse accused of killing a former British soldier and Aftermath (Alex May), exploring James Larkin’s role in the 1913 Dublin Lock Out

Basil Abbott

…will perform his self-researched and penned 17 character court room drama The Flush Hall Murder presenting the real life case of a young man, attacked and left for dead on his way home from a Masonic meeting over 100 years ago. Vignettes throughout the day will support a full run through in the afternoon

Pop-up Gaeltacht

An bhfuil cúpla focail agat? There’s a good chance that if you understand that question, the answer is ‘Tá’.  Pop-Up Gaeltacht is an informal affair, where an Irish language speaker will be present in order that anyone wishing to share a few words (cúpla focal) of Gaelic can and is welcomed to do so. @PopUpGael You can link with Pop-Up Gaeltacht internationally through their Facebook group, here

The Lily & The Poppy (full event listing at this link).

A full listing of activity will be available in advance online and at reception on the day. We will also update this page as and when timings are known and additional activities are confirmed.
 *     *     *
This event is delivered in partnership with National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool Comhaltas and Melody Makers with support from the Institute of Irish Studies at University of Liverpool and sponsored by Tourism Ireland. It also forms part of a wider Family Weekend programme, which includes a Children’s Hour with Carmel Kelly and a Family Céilí. Please see the other events listings for details.

Named Peter Kavanagh’s after its original owner, locals affectionately know this place as PK’s.

Come along to this unique, Grade II listed pub, full of curios and character to join in the weekly toe-tapping music session. Famed for its collection of artefacts, murals and ship’s tables (front lounge), this pub is a must see!

 

5 years in the making, Coming Home is a documentary that charts the dreams and histories of 5 Irish immigrants, from their locations on 4 continents.

This début documentary comes from Cathal Kenna (Dublin), who directed, edited, shot and sound recorded the production. With some Liverpool connections, too, this film echoes multiple diaspora stories, combining family stories, economic histories and the sort of nostalgic romanticism only the homesick can create. @ComingHomeDoc

Running Mon-Sat throughout the festival we are partnering with our friends at Everyman to provide a materials liabrary and social space for festival visitors to drop-in, hold small discussion groups and impromptu seisiúns (sessions).

Liverpool Irish Festival visitors are encouraged to enjoy the fully accessible space; free Wi-Fi; drinks and food menus and get talking to one another over Irish newspapers, texts, maps and children’s books all of which have a focus on Liverpool or Ireland. Straddling Hope Street, between the Catholic and Protestant cathedrals, Everyman is the ideal cultural hot spot to find a festival brochure, pick up a bite to eat or encounter some of the city’s performance artists.

Begins by 12pm on 19 Oct 2017 and runs during opening hours throughout the festival (closed on Sun).

Carmel Uí Cheallaigh/Kelly (Galway, ROI) is a children’s author and picture book creator, writing in Gaelic and English. Her motto is “Picture books are for everyone”.

A librarian herself, Carmel’s early works are an introduction to Gaelic for the young. Working with inspiring illustrators, they brings words to life on the page. This is an opportunity to hear her breathe life in to the words of books such as Goldilocks and the Three Pigs to Hallowe’en favourite Spidey. carmelsbooks.com

Promising to be a very special occasion, we welcome Burning Wheel home just as they release their debut album Remembrance Songs, recorded with renowned producer Gerry Diver.

Band Members Eoin Quiery (vocals/guitar), Nessan Quiery (banjo) and Liam Crosby (fiddle) were born and raised in the Liverpool Irish community and have frequently played at the festival since it began.  The band’s musical and lyrical themes explore the unique links between Liverpool and Ireland in a thrilling, high-octane blend of Irish folk, Mersey-melodica and psychedelic post-rock noise.

Their intense live shows move from plaintive Dylan-folk to hypnotic and danceable country-soul, accompanied by Flaming Lips style pyro-technics.

Burning Wheel are delighted to confirm that the support act will be local Irish singer songwriter Karen Turley. Use the link to find out more!