“There is a simple lucid clarity to Seán Keane’s singing voice, which – like a laser – cuts through the cacophonous clatter and bang of a noisy world.
“He is a storyteller, whose voice is the sound of everyman; as ancient history [simultaneously] as vital as a digital radio signal, winging its way across the heaven in search of new civilisations. Sometimes he can sound as lonely as an emigrant standing on the prow of a ship […] taking him away from his native homeland and more times he can sound like a cyber survivor, full of strength and valour that provides comfort to those who battle unequally with the hostile emotional landscape of the modern world. Seán Keane is a touchstone of great signing tradition. He is the past, the present and the future”, Shay Healy, songwriter, broadcaster and journalist
There is already a large contingent for whom an introduction to Seán Keane is unnecessary. Steeped in music, Seán has grown to musical maturity in an atmosphere where nothing is more important than playing a tune well and singing a song as it should be sung. Although heavily influenced by traditional styles and values, Seán will not be categorised as a traditional singer. Whether the songs are traditional, folk, country or blues, he applies a unique voice and individual style that you will never forget
£13 from St Michael’s Irish Centre or online (+booking fee)
Two great Liverpool based acts – Conleath McGeary and headliners The Jesse Janes – set up what is sure to be a great night of Irish folk, bluegrass, skiffle and rock and roll. Expect a party atmosphere and lots of dancing!
According to Irish mythology, Samhain (like Beltane) was a time when the ‘doorways’ to the Otherworld opened, allowing supernatural beings and the souls of the dead to come into our world; but while Beltane was a summer festival for the living, Samhain “was essentially a festival for the dead”
An original production, which aims to celebrate the little known story of the men and women from Liverpool who helped to change the course of Irish history, remembering their contribution to the formation of an independent Irish republic, through drama, dance and music.
The story begins in Liverpool in January 1916 and follows the exploits of a group of volunteers who travel to Dublin to take part in the Easter Rising in April 1916. Written by Peter King, descendent of the King Brothers, who themselves engaged in the Easter Rising making the crossing in support of the action
Tickets are £5 from St Michael’s Irish Centre or online (+booking fee)
This award-winning ensemble from Galway combines Irish old-time and bluegrass music and song to reveal the banjo’s rich legacy and roots.
The Irish Times describes them as ‘absolutely virtuosic’ and LiveIreland are calling them ‘a new force in Irish music’. Of their debut CD, ,em>UkFolkMusic.co.uk said ‘[it] will hopefully one day be considered on a par (in folk music terms) with, say, the first time you heard Steeleye Span or Fairport Convention’.
We Banjo 3’s musicians have been at the forefront of Irish banjo and fiddle for two decades. Their competitive success is unrivalled, with Martin Howley holding seven All Ireland titles, Enda Scahill with four and Fergal Scahill and David Howley holding All Ireland titles for banjo, fiddle, bodhrán and guitar
£16 from the Liverpool Philharmonic (+ booking fees)
This December, it’ll be 100 years since the publication of James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. As debuts go, it’s a fairly sensational one, but we almost didn’t get to read it. In a fit of fury, because no one would publish The Dubliners, he threw Portrait into the fire, it was saved by his family.
Our festival opens with a panel exploring Joyce and the novel; the role of Irish writing, of emerging writers and directors, as well as those who wrote a century ago.
A panel discussion on James Joyce’s celebrated novel with His Excellency, the Irish Ambassador to the UK, Dan Mulhall, Dr Maria-Daniella Dick (Lecturer in Irish and Scottish Literature, University of Glasgow), Professor Frank Shovlin (Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool) and Professor Andrew Gibson (Royal Holloway, University of London).
Festival speeches will be given, marking the official opening of Liverpool Irish Festival 2016
Contrary to printed listings, Dr Katherine Mullin (Senior Lecturer, Leeds University) will no longer be appearing. We apologise for this change of notice.
How did Liverpool react to the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin? What do we know about the Liverpool people who took part? The researchers who devised this exhibition, together with archivist Helena Smart, will talk about their work and what they have discovered about this forgotten chapter of local history, providing a fascinating insight into the library itself, its resources, and local history.
Told through documents, photographs and articles in an exhibition of materials ordinarily held by the Liverpool Record Office and Central Library, with additional material from the Liverpool 1916 Commemoration Committee these stories are revealed.
exhibit takes place on the third Floor, Liverpool Central Library
Since The Divine Comedy’s inception in 1989, Neil Hannon has repeatedly proven himself to be one of the UK’s best and most original songwriters.
New album Foreverland exemplifies this, with references ranging from Catherine the Great to the French Foreign Legion. Neil says of the new record, ‘it’s about meeting your soul mate and living happily ever after… and then what comes after happily ever after. Get ready for the most historically inaccurate hit of the summer’.
While not releasing a record since 2010’s Bang Goes The Knighthood, Neil Hannon has certainly kept himself busy. He co-wrote a second album for acclaimed cricket-themed project The Duckworth Lewis Method; composed a choral work for the ,em>Royal Festival Hall’s newly renovated organ entitled To Our Fathers in Distress, and oversaw the transfer of his musical, Swallows and Amazons, to the West End stage. The support act is Lisa O’Neill
Free, no booking required
Mikey Kenney hosts fortnightly Tuesday gigs here at The Caledonia. Mikey was a founding member of local group The Saltcutters and has strong ties to tradition Irish music, a genre in which he excels. His performances are kept fresh by regular visits to the Emerald Isle and collaborations with his peers. Tonight he will be joined by friends to perform two sets of original and traditional music
Mon-Sat we are partnering with our friends at Everyman to provide a social space for festival visitors to drop-in, hold small discussion groups and seisiúns (sessions).
Drawing on conviviality we welcome you to enjoy the fully accessible space; free wifi; drinks and food menus and get talking to one another on one of the most historic streets in the city. Here you will find a small materials library in which you can delve in to news, literature and contemporary zines, so draw up a chair and ponder! Straddling space between the Catholic and Protestant cathedrals, Everyman is the ideal cultural hot spot to enjoy a festival brochure, pick up a bite to eat or enjoy some of the ad hoc and experimental performances we will pepper the time with. Come on! Join us!
Social seisiún platlist PDF available.
A place to meet and explore a wealth of Irish and Liverpool traditional songs. All musicians of all ages are welcome at this weekly session attended by locals, house musician, bar staff and strangers each Tuesday. Under 18s welcome
