Event type: Festival

BHM25: Dorothy Kuya Walking Tour

The Dorothy Kuya Walking Tour explores the impact of Dorothy Kuya’s anti-racist activism in modern Britain as we explore the Liverpool and the L8 area. 

Dorothy Kuya (1933-2013) was one of Liverpool most prolific anti racist campaigners whose activism spanned seven decades. Born in Liverpool to a West African father and white English mother, Dorothy was aware of racial discrimination from a young age. At 13 she began attending Young Communist League meetings and would stay a dedicated and respected member of the CPGB until the 1980s. Inspired by the anticolonial sentiment of her youth and the pan-African radicals living in the North West, Dorothy would also go on to become an important member of the Movement for Colonial Freedom (now Liberation) and the National Assembly of Women. Dorothy had a local, national and international profile. As the first Race Relations advisor for Haringey Council, working closely with former MP Bernie Grant and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. In Liverpool, Dorothy was a formidable member of the Granby Residents Association and integral to the development of the Atlantic Slave Trade gallery, the International Slavery Museum and Slavery Remembrance Day.  

Learn more about the Dorothy Kuya Archive here and you can visit the archive at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. 

Starting point: Corner of Falkner and Catherine Street, L8 7NE
End point: Jermyn Street, L8 2XA

Levitation ’25

The annual Castles in Space festival of electronic music, featuring the best proponents of the genre, brought together in a beautiful venue with EXCLUSIVE merch only available on the day.  This year’s stellar line-up includes the following artists:

Lo Five

Lo Five is the experimental electronic ambient handle of Neil Grant, who since 2015 has been creating sounds inspired by early rave, 80s Japanese ambient, field recordings, soundtracks and early idm – all used to communicate an ongoing interest in secular spirituality, human consciousness, non-duality and the self.Lo Five will be releasing his next album, Superdank, on Castles in Space’s Lunar Module CD imprint in November of this year.

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Jo Johnson

During three-decades, Jo Johnson’s musical journey has serpentined from punk to techno and contemplative electronic minimalism. During 2025, Jo is writing and releasing a slow album, Alterations, track-by-track via the Bandcamp platform. Accompanying this is her Alterations Remnants project, monthly  subscriber-only reworks, field recordings, notes, photography and explanatory notes. 

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Loula Yorke

Loula Yorke is a UK-based composer, sound artist and modular synthesist. She has become increasingly prolific over the years, in 2024 alone she dropped the hypnotically looping Volta album on Truxalis, completed a long-form ambient excursion called speak, thou vast and venerable head for quiet details and issued a new vinyl version of her A Man On a Galloping Horse Wouldn’t See It LP via Castles in Space. Next up she’s releasing Time is a Succession of Such Shapes, an album of music created during the first year of the monthly mixtape project – out in early August.

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Pulselovers

Pulselovers (Doncaster producer, Mat Handley) has been an active project since 2015. Influences come from 70s/80s German and UK electronic, post punk and experimental music, childhood filtered memories and a sense of time and place. Albums are produced using analogue synthesisers, percussion, field recordings and tape loops. Collaborative contributions come from friends and allies utilising more organic instrumentation (strings, skins and wind). Pulselovers have released albums on Polytechnic Youth, Subexotic and Castles in Space with a fourth volume of “Northern Minimalism” coming in August via the new CiS CD imprint Lunar Module. For Levitation, Mat will be joined by long term collaborator John Alexander (Floodlights) on guitar. Expect live favourites and new music from the next (as yet unfinished) album.

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Field Lines Cartographer

From the chimeric Dreamtides for Castles In Space, to the insectile mystery and skittering echoic arpeggios of Formic Kingdom for Woodford Halse, or the stunning Tone Maps for the Quiet Details imprint, Mark Burford’s music is intensely emotive and unfathomably deep. FLC has received airplay support from Gideon Coe, Deb Grant and Tom Ravenscroft on BBC 6 Music, as well as inclusion on streaming shows and mixes from the likes of Anthony Child (Surgeon) and James Holden, to name just two. While the textural detail and dynamic shifts inherent in all of FLC’s work carry through to his live shows, the performance is mostly stripped back to a couple of hardware synthesisers, effortlessly mixing analogue and digital in a masterclass of restraint and balance.

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James Adrian Brown

James Adrian Brown is the former lead guitarist of the alternative rock band Pulled Apart By Horses. Brown’s solo work is heavily electronica-based, utilising analogue synths alongside tape machines, piano, strings, and immersive ambient atmospherics. He has received support from the likes of Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music and Chris Hawkins, who championed him for creating “massive electronic soundscapes in a Mogwai kind of world.” James was also featured on BBC Radio 3’s Unclassified by host Elizabeth Alker. His debut album is set to be released on the revered UK electronic label Castles In Space, marking a significant new chapter in his journey as a solo artist.

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Stone Anthem

Stone Anthem is an experimental ambient project that explores the fragile boundary between serenity and disarray. Known for sculpting immersive soundscapes from modular synthesis, field recordings, with hushed and haunting vocals, Stone Anthem’s work is deeply rooted in atmosphere and emotion. The upcoming album, Where Trees Go To Die, was born in solitude – originally composed in a remote Spanish mountain hamlet where the surrounding forests and stillness left a profound imprint on the sound. The result is a dense, slow-unfolding journey through organic textures, dissonant beauty, and meditative drones.

Queer Arrivals

Queer Arrivals is a deeply personal, music-filled journey by Irish singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt, exploring what it means to come into queerness – and into oneself – later in life.

With original songs and intimate storytelling, Gráinne shares her experience of falling in love with a woman in her 40s and how that has transformed her understanding of identity, artistry and belonging.

Incorporating Gráinne’s partner Jules Stewart on drums and vocals, Queer Arrivals is a tender, honest, and powerful celebration of love, growth, and self-acceptance debuting at the Liverpool Irish Festival.

Joining them is HUSK – a Gaeilge-English electrofolk musician, blending traditional Irish music, folk and electronica, with 80’s synths, weaving between English and Gaeilge alongside púca punk queer magick energy. HUSK offers contemporary electronic music production and works with international talent across the Irish diaspora and beyond.

This is a unique collaboration, presented in partnership with The Unity with support from Culture Ireland. For more info, read a fuller description, here.

Liverpool Irish Festival 2025

 

 

The Liverpool Irish Festival brings Liverpool and Ireland closer together using arts and culture. They provide access to Irish culture, using an all-Ireland approach, through participation and creative ingenuity. The festival is accessible, fun and educational; taking you to many parts of the city.

Their aim is to start interesting conversations by providing artful, cultural storytelling through traditional and contemporary creative events, workshops and tours. The Liverpool Irish Festival proudly challenges assumptions and celebrates Ireland’s multifaceted life.

The theme for 2025 is ‘arrivals’, centered around the contributions of the Irish community in Liverpool. Events include Queer Arrivals, a story-based music night, The Great Hunger Short and Long Tours, The Druids, Irish folk band and The John McGahern Annual Prize.

Festival highlights for 2025:

13 Oct – Book and documentary launch – the culmination of three years of work and a pilgrimage in partnership with BOXPARK Liverpool

16 Oct – the Festival launch at Liverpool Irish Centre, with Helen Jones from BBC Radio Merseyside who will be speaking about her Irish summers and best ever job (bookers get a free drink)

18 Oct – Queer Arrivals – an exclusive premiere of an LGBTQ love story, told by those it involves (including internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt), with a guest feature from HUSK

20 Oct – a Double Feature theatre billing, celebrating Countess Markiewicz’s life and multi-generational Irish lives at Hope Street Theatre

22 Oct – Did I Ever Tell Ya is a phenomenal show from David Gilna, who sold out gigs in America with the show he brought to #LIF2023 – Out of D’Blue and now plays at Liverpool’s Royal Court

23 Oct – Come and see Liverpool’s own Irish musicians and dancers in Welcome Home/Fáilte Abhaile at our own emerald icon, Sefton Park Palm House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHM25: Great War to Race Riots Walking Tour

The Great War to Race Riots tour explores anti-Black race riots that occurred in Liverpool and other seaports across the country in 1919.  

This tour covers the area now known as Chinatown and the Baltic Triangle, which at the beginning of the 20th century was a densely populated and multicultural neighbourhood known locally as ‘sailor town.’ The tour follows the last journey of Charles Wotton, a young Bermudan seafarer who was murdered during the race riots. It finishes at the Queens Dock where Charles was chased into the River Mersey.    

During the tour we present press reports from the run up and aftermath of the riots which, although over 100 years old, echo the fear-mongering of today. The tensions around the immediate post WWI economic slump, industrial unrest and mass demobilisation were manipulated so that Black people become the scapegoat, culminating in the racial violence on the streets of Liverpool. In August of this year, history was repeated when race rioting broke out, fuelled by the ‘divide and rule’ tactics of the politicians and the mainstream media. The events of 1919 contain important lessons for today.   

The Great War to Race Riots book is available here, containing the full archive and original documents surrounding the 1919 riots. 
Starting point: Chinese Arch, Nelson Street,  L1 5DW
End point: Queens Dock, L3 4BX
*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.  

BHM25: Liverpool & Slavery Walking Tour 

The Liverpool & Slavery Walking Tour was developed and inspired by our Dorothy Kuya Archive Project, in collaboration with National Museums Liverpool. During the project our team revealed the extent of Dorothy’s involvement in the establishment of the Atlantic Slave Trade Gallery, Slavery Remembrance Day and the International Slavery Museum. Along with Liverpool activist and historian Eric Scott Lynch (1932-2022), Dorothy delivered slavery walking tours in collaboration with NML in the mid 1990s. It is local Black activists like Dorothy and Eric that have played an integral role in how Liverpool remembers and commemorates its heavy involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.  

On this tour we explore the many sites and streets with direct links to the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Liverpool city centre. We discuss the depth of the city’s connections to the trade of enslaved Africans and the goods they produced long after its abolition in Britain. This tour also considers the legacies of the Atlantic Slave Trade, the origins of anti-Black racism and white supremacy, which in the 18th and 19th centuries were seen as justifications for horrific oppression and continue to encourage racial hatred violence in the present day.  

Starting at The Pump House, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AN, the tour will then cover the L1 and L2 districts, ending at Liverpool Town Hall.   
Starting point: The Pump House, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AN
End point: Liverpool Town Hall, High St, Liverpool, L2 3SW 
Testimonials
“Found the walk very interesting and enjoyable.” 

“Wonderful event! Please have a lot more of these through the year, if possible.” 

“Fascinating walk and talk. Thank you!”

“Really interesting topics, anecdotal stories really brought me into the life.”

 

*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.    

BHM25: L8 Activism Walking Tour

The L8 Activism Walking Tour invites you to take a stroll down the beautiful, tree-lined Victorian boulevard and explore the rich history of Liverpool 8 — the traditional home of the Black community since the mid-20th century. This tour traces the area’s development from its origins as a merchant-class neighbourhood in the mid-to-late 19th century, when Liverpool was considered the second city of the British Empire — its prominence largely built on the Transatlantic Slave Trade — through a period of economic decline, and finally to its resurgence as one of the most desirable places to live in 2025. 

 As the tour progresses, we cover the vibrant nightlife and culture of the 1950s and 60s and the Black and anti-racist activism that developed throughout the 1970s and early 1980s and which responded to local and international issues. We consider the discrimination faced by Liverpool’s Black community, which Lord Gifford in his enquiry into the causes of the 1981 uprisings, described as ‘uniquely horrific’ which brought worldwide media attention to the area. At the Rialto which, during the uprisings, was set ablaze, we view the area where battle lines were drawn and consider why certain buildings were targeted.   

 The L8 Activism Walking Tour culminates on the former site of the Liverpool 8 Law Center, an organisation which arose out of the ‘81 Uprisings and which played a key role in the support and empowerment of L8 and the Black communities and then onto empty plinth where William Huskinson once stood. Join us to find out what happened to him and much more history that you won’t find in books. 

 
Starting point: Princes Park North Gates, L8 3TA
End point: Former site of Huskinson statue, Princes Road, L8 1TH
 

*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.   

 

GAA: Gaelic 4 mothers and others blitz

John Mitchel’s GAA Club, in partnership with LivIrishFest, hosts this unique event at Liverpool’s only dedicated GAA pitch.

Past players from the club battle it out with visiting teams from Ireland in a not-to-be-missed morning of everyone’s favourite sport. Come along for a great day of football, fun, and catching up with friends old and new. Everyone welcome – players, supporters, families and friends.

This is an outdoor event in October. Please come along with waterproofs and/or sun cream as needed and be ready to get muddy and/or grass-stained!

GAA: Give It A Go!

Fancy having a go at Gaelic football? This event is open to all age groups whether keen Gaelic Footballers or total newbies!

To kickstart the event, coaches will be there to welcome everyone, offering a great opportunity to find out a bit more about the game and John Mitchel’s GAA Club. Here’s your chance to meet club members and even play a bit of Gaelic Football. There’ll be ‘blitz’ sessions for young ones, from fully qualified and checked coaches (guardians to stay throughout).

A kids’ Gaelic Football Tournament kicks off at 2.30pm.

This is an outdoor event in October. Please be ready with waterproofs and/or sun cream as needed and be prepared get muddy and/or grass-stained!

The Great Hunger short tour

Join Liverpool Irish Festival‘s John Maguire (also of ArtsGroupie) on a revealing journey through Liverpool city centre. Spectators will hear about how the Victorian tragedy of the Irish Famine changed Liverpool’s streets. Trail walkers will learn about how locations were used for sanctuary, nourishment and safety. They will also hear and understand the benevolence of Liverpool’s people. Using a new trail app, headsets and recent Walk of the Bronze Shoes experience, your guide will really help you to walk in the shoes of Liverpool and Irish people 180-years ago.

This walk leaves at 11am. (There is a later walk at 12.15am.) Bookers for this walk are asked to gather from 10.45am at the Pilotage Building (near the Museum of Liverpool), for a tour taking walkers up to Fenwick Street and back. The walk will last approximately 45mins.

Bookings for these walks close at 5pm on Fri 17 Oct 2025.

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