Event type: Festival

Liverpool: A City of Benevolence?

In their illustrated talk, (ArtsGroupie founder and director) John Maguire and (Liverpool Irish Festival Artistic Director and CEO) Emma Smith examine Liverpool’s humanitarian response during An Gorta Mór.

Recent research confirms over 1.5 million Irish people arrived in Liverpool between 1845-53, necessitating unprecedented operations to feed, transport, house, and — sadly — bury those who perished.

This presentation traces Liverpool’s evolution as a gateway for human movement. From its first wet dock (1715) facilitating Irish and European trade, to becoming Britain’s leading port in the 1740s — including the morally complex transportation of 1.3 million enslaved Africans — Liverpool developed infrastructure and systems for mass human transit.

By the 1830s-40s, Liverpool’s connection to Ireland had deepened through the development of the Liverpool Manchester Railway, with Irish railway workers making up 30% of the workforce. Today, the impacts of The Great Hunger still shape the city. Listeners will hear how famine is declared and what ongoing deprivation means to Liverpool.

The presenters will analyse how Liverpool’s Select Vestry — often acting against national policy — saved countless Irish lives during the Famine years. By contrasting local humanitarian efforts with government indifference, this talk explores what constituted true benevolence in a time of unprecedented crisis, revealing why Liverpool and Ireland maintain such profound connections today.

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Catherine Morris’s Intimate Power

Intimate Power: Autobiography of a City is a meditation on forms of personal losses that we carry with us all our lives.

It simultaneously serves as a recovery of voice for the kinds of trauma that the city has carried through successive generations, be it slavery, famine, war, asylum or exile.

The book is a series of walks through Liverpool made on a return journey from a feeling of long exile. It is a recovery of voice through which the author situates parts of her own life into a collective solidarity that she sought out in conversations, chance encounters and in the stories that she uncovered in the city’s local and international multimedia archives.

Catherine Morris walks through versions of herself in Liverpool via twenty-one episodes that she names after revolutions: moments in which transformations occur. Each episode is separated by an intersection of “Walking” that carries the words of the living and of the dead.

In this talk, Catherine will describe how she drew on archives at Liverpool Central Library to tell her story of Liverpool. It will be of interest to anyone wanting to tell their own story of the city and the self.

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BlackFest 2025

 

BlackFest is grassroots, homegrown, an award-winning Black arts organisation based in Liverpool City Region. They showcase music, theatre, film, visual arts, spoken word, and poetry across both community and mainstream venues.

Their annual festival was created to amplify and celebrate Black artistic expression, their theme this year is ‘Masculine energy, Masculinity.’ 

BLACKFEST 2025 LAUNCH

Music, Poetry, DJ, Stalls 

Enjoy performances from artists taking part in the Fest from poetry, music, DJ and browse artisan stalls for you to spoil yourself or a loved one. 

12pm | SoundYard | Donations | Saturday 06.09.25

DANCE

Movement, Storytelling & Power: Akeim ToussaintExperience a transformative dance workshop exploring identity, resistance, and rhythm through movement and poetry. ‘Beatmotion’ a practice developed by Akeim uses power of voice/vocality and movement. 11am | Liverpool Lighthouse 

Monday 22.09.25 | Standard and concession tickets availableFILM

Independent Film Screening & Panel “Negus” A film by Akeim Toussaint BuckImmerse yourself in a compelling short film ‘Negus’, the title bestowed on Emperors of Ethiopia, the Kings of Kings, followed by an open-mic panel with Akeim Toussaint and Host Ashleigh Nugent. 7pm | Liverpool Lighthouse 

Monday 22.09.25 | Standard and concession tickets available

LITERATURE

Diversity Dialogues with Malik Al Nasir

Come together for an inspiring dialogue with author, educator, artist, activist Malik Al Nasir hosted by Dr Rebecca Loy as he shares reflections on identity and heritage his 2nd published book, ‘Searching for my Slave Roots.’ With Uplifting performances ft. Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir. 

7pm | Palm House | Standard and concession tickets available | Tuesday 23.09.25

CONCERT

Part of the Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series 

Join them in partnership with The Tung Auditorium in celebrating local Liverpool Artist Remée – an alternative artist who draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and genres. Immersive lyrical storytelling and captivating visuals.

1pm | -The Tung Auditorium | Standard and concession tickets available

Wednesday 24.09.25

COMMUNITY

Soulessence – Mind, Body and Soul 

A day focused on well – being and community connection with ancestral indigenous nutrition workshop from Yammtree, enjoying earthy beats by ONYX TBH and Sound bath with Gaia. With Stalls to Refresh, rejuvenate, revitalise.

10am-3pm | Palm House | Donations | Wednesday 24.09.25

MUSIC

Rhythms Night A dynamic showcase blending rock-punk with soulful singer-songwriters, featuring Headliner Third Kulture alongside KingFast, Mina and Rafaela.

7pm | District | Standard and concession tickets available | Thursday 25.09.25

VISUAL ARTS 

Launch of 2025 Visual Arts Programme and Exhibition

Running all the way through October, meet local artists Curtis Watt, Nina Edge and Robert Awork presenting their works + panel. In the month artist will share their practice in a series of workshops.

6p- 9pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard & concession tickets available 

Wednesday 01.10.25

SPOKEN WORD POERTY 

Come enjoy poets and wordsmiths bringing their views and experiences to life.

Featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya, Janoma, – Breaking intergenerational curses to, dark witty, cynical, morbid humour and covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity. 7pm- 10pm | The Capstone Theatre | Standard & concession tickets available 

Friday 03.10.25

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP 

Nina Edge a renowned local Liverpool Visual artist. She works in clay paint and mixed media. Explore her practice in creating patterned work with various materials.

10-1pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard and concession tickets available |

 Monday 06.10.25

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP 

Curtis Watt

Curtis a established local Liverpool multidisciplinary artist. His practice is in sketch, mixed media and surrealist dream translations in pencil, pastels and ink. Explore Creative writing, storytelling, poetry and spoken word followed by sketching your own creative response.

1pm – 3pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard and concession tickets available

Wednesday 08.10.25

BHM – CELEBRATING 150 YEARS COLERIDGE TAYLOR DAY

2025 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Tayo Aluko & Friends CIC in partnership with BlackFest and Liverpool Hope University to hold a Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day Festival on Saturday 11 October 2025 at Hope University’s creative campus. The day will include some of Coleridge-Taylor’s works featuring singers and instrumentalists singing and playing the composer’s music. , and Tayo Aluko’s play, Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown at The Captone Theatre. 

2 events |  4:30pm FREE TOWN PLAY By Tayo Aluko | 7:30pm A Concert of Music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor| The Capstone Theatre and Hope Creative Campus | Standard and concession tickets available | Saturday 11.10.25

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP 

Robert Awork

Robert Awork is a local Liverpool 8 resident and international artist, working in 3D modelling with heritage and archive. He delves into the intersection of technology and community, preserving heritage where best serves its purpose. Explore Robert’s practice mixed media, sculpture and clay work.

10am – 1pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard and concession tickets available

Monday 13.10.25

THEATRE

Shakespeare North Playhouse BlackFest October SCRATCH Night Take Over

Join them as artists Shak | Chelsey | Resila | BluBoy bring exciting experimental new works using their disciplines and theatre to bring their stories to life. They are using their directing skills, some their own performance and poetry skills and a combination of singing performing and writing.

7pm | Shakespeare North Playhouse | Standard and concession tickets available

Tuesday 14.10.25

FOOD AND DRINK

Michelle Odwyer – Baytree Cooking Academy

The ever so popular sustainable cooking workshop led by award-winning chef Michelle returns with cooking demonstrations with the aim to improve access to healthy, nutritious food, to help individuals and families develop skills in cooking and nutrition and to reduce food waste.

10am – 2pm | Granby Winter Garden | Donations | Wednesday 22.10.25

COMEDY 

The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase

Che Burnley Oldhamer and honorary Scouser, in the last few years Che has established his own Showcase show in Edinburgh & Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country. Join us Che and supporting acts from Liverpool and beyond.

7:30pm | The Royal Court Studios | Standard and concession tickets available

Saturday 25.10.25

BLACKFEST CLOSING CEREMONY 

Celebrate, Fashion, Music, Dance, Drumming, Skating

In collaboration with the Afro Fashion Show UK, we’re bringing together a vibrant mix of culture, creativity, and community. The event will be a dynamic celebration of contemporary fashion, live music, art, skating, stalls and delicious food.

LIVE MUSIC + MORE

Yilly & Rax Vibes | Bluboy | KingFast | Mina | Rafaela | Alifex Band | Sandstone Silver | Drebal | LeeTz |Remée|

BATALA MERSEY  Drumming company | MD Productions Dance troop

They have beats on the decks ONYX TBH we know the vibes are going to be lit. JOIN THEM!

6pm | Invisible Wind Factory | PREMIMUM* and Standard tickets available. 

Exclusions Apply* | Thursday 30.10.25

For more details and to buy tickets, visit their website www.blackfest.co.uk 

 

 

The John McGahern Annual Book Prize

Join us for the sixth annual John McGahern Book Prize event, featuring readings from the winning debut, chosen by Colm Tóibín and announced in September. The shortlisted titles include Hagstone (Sinéad Gleeson), Glorious Exploits (Ferdia Lennon), Girl in the Making (Anna Fitzgerald), and The Coast Road (Alan Murrin). Established by the university’s Institute of Irish Studies, the £5,000 prize celebrates outstanding new Irish fiction.

At the time of releasing this information, the booking information is not yet know. We will update this page when it is known.

This event forms part of the Liverpool Literary Festival, running 17-19 Oct 2025. The event will be held in the Leggate Theatre at The Victoria Gallery and Museum (part of the University of Liverpool campus).

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Image credit: Bobby Hanvey photographic Archive, courtesy of Digital Commonwealth.

Harry Clarke’s windows

Harry Clarke was an exemplary illustrator and stained-glass designer and maker, whose work in the 1920s-30s continues to build his legacy. Examples can still be found across Ireland and the UK, America and Australia. Anyone enjoying a brew in Bewley’s Tea Rooms on Grafton Street (Dublin, Ireland) will be aware of his talents. Despite a short life and a fragile material, Clarke’s secular and faith-based windows offer a permanence and ways into stories still needing to be told.

Gerry Molumby (The Irish Post) leads this hour-long illustrated talk, presented in partnership with The Institute of Irish Studies at University of Liverpool.

Image credit: Nate Bergin (detail only), shared under Cultural Commons.

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Venue information to follow.

Reveal: book and documentary launch

A special preview to launch the Festival, tonight presents the exclusive first screening of our new documentary and the debut of our long-awaited book, Reveal. Three years in the making, this evening marks a milestone moment for Liverpool Irish Festival.

Documenting the 2024 Walk of the Bronze Shoes — a pilgrimage from Strokestown, Ireland to Liverpool, UK — and the creation of the Global Irish Famine Way, this book and film capture countless hours of research, endurance and dedication from our remarkable walkers and researchers.

Featuring research from the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail’s History Research Group, the project has received direct support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Consul General of the North on behalf of the Government of Ireland, the Liverpool Great Hunger Commemoration Committee and generous donors who contributed through our JustGiving campaign.

Held in partnership with Boxpark, this evening highlights the Festival’s commitment to telling the story of An Gorta Mór, 180-years on. Join us for this unique opportunity to witness history being revealed.

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Double feature: The Irish Countess and Call Yourself an Irishman

The Irish Countess (75mins) brings to life the extraordinary story of Countess Constance Markievicz. Born into Anglo-Irish privilege, she rejected her comfortable lifestyle and made a defining choice to stand alongside Ireland’s revolutionary movement. From the Gaelic Revival through the Easter Rising and the battle for Irish independence, this play presents a reflection on her courage and conviction. 

The theme of identity continues in Declan Duffy’s thoughtful and moving presentation: Call Yourself an Irishman (90mins), which follows. Using humour, reflection and song Declan explores what it means to be Irish through the lens of second- and third-generation voices. He’ll consider the history of Irish migration to Britain — including the huge contribution of Irish people to Liverpool and Manchester — alongside the difficulties encountered by the people who made that journey. In doing so, he’ll share how all of this has influenced us, their descendants, in our consideration of who and what we are. 

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The Great Hunger 2-hour tour

 

Join Liverpool Irish Festival‘s John Maguire (also of ArtsGroupie) on an expanded walking tour of several Liverpool Irish Famine Trail sites, including Clarence Dock – the entry way for over 1.8m+ Irish Famine poor – and others in the town centre.

Spectators will hear how The Great Hunger changed Liverpool’s streets, learning how locations were used for sanctuary, nourishment and safety. Along the route, sites of Irish influence will also be marked helping to show the geographic memory of these times. Walkers will also hear about the benevolence of Liverpool’s people and on-going effects on the city today.

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.

The walks leave at 2pm. Bookers are asked to gather in the 15mins prior at the Pilotage Building (near the Museum of Liverpool). The walk will last approximately 120mins.

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

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PK’s seisiún

Completely informal opportunity to come along for a tune. The first seisiún of two in the Festival; the other takes place the following Fri (24 Oct 2025).

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’s ‘standing room only’, so be prepared to ‘hotch up’ and swap places so everyone can get a piece of the action. This is a night that almost guarantees high kicks ‘til dawn.

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In the Window: Meet the Maker – Corinne Price

The Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival are delighted to announce our 2025 maker: Corinne Price; continuing our annual In The Window partnership. This event provides visitors with the chance to speak with the artist directly, about their work, general practice, ambitions and achievements. Centred on Corinne’s ceramics, which layer pigment into the clay itself, visitors will benefit from a guided question and answer session, being able to ask additional questions. 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 needed. 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 Corinne. See our exhibition listing for more details about Corinne.

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