Event type: Talk

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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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 second published book, Searching for my Slave Roots.

Malik Al Nasir was born in Liverpool to mixed parentage, with a white mother and a black father. Bemused by memories of racist shouts for him to ‘go back to where you came from’ he began to look into his ancestry. His resulting book charts the twists and turns of his journey into the past and explores an untold chapter in both Black and British history.

With uplifting performances featuring Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir.

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.

James May

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Age Guidance:  14+

James May will premiere a landmark live theatre show in the United Kingdom, bringing to life the stories of the extraordinary explorers who traversed the deserts, scaled the mountains, sailed into the unknown. The live show combines theatrical techniques and James’ charismatic storytelling to create an evening of compelling intellectual entertainment. From Ice Age migrations to space travel, the stories of famous, infamous and unknown explorers will come to life in a theatric style, presented by British television presenter and award-winning journalist James May. James May is best known as a co-presenter of the motoring programs Top Gear and The Grand Tour, and as the host of the Our Man in… TV series. Few endeavors have captured the imagination and spirit of humanity as profoundly as exploration. Audiences will embark on an awe-inspiring journey through time and space. They will discover the stories of those who risked (and sometimes gave) everything, driven by insatiable curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, pushing back the boundaries of the unexplored regions of the world, and now, the universe. Live on stage, James May will unravel the breathtaking tales of humankind from the earliest wanderings of ancient hunter-gatherers to the intrepid, often obsessive explorers, among them Lief Ericson, John Cabot, James Cook’s navigator Tupaia, Stanley and Livingstone, Gertrude Bell, through to the moon walkers, space exploration and the seemingly impossible challenges of interplanetary and intergalactic travel.

The Night Sky Show

Age Guidance 8+

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Bringing his successful sell out and highly praised show, astronomer and author Adrian West (aka VirtualAstro) presents a glorious visual and thought-provoking experience for everyone that looks up and wonders.

Using amazing big screen visual effects, The Night Sky Show will take you on a fantastic and epic journey across the cosmos.

A show for all without any heavy-going science, science fiction and science fact are combined and presented in an entertaining, easy way.

This is not your typical astronomy lecture, dry academic science, or intellectual presentation. The show offers a captivating and inclusive experience, featuring content that often breaks away from tradition. We prioritize fun and engagement over complex scientific jargon, ensuring everyone feels informed and entertained regardless of age or interest level. Join us for an exciting journey through the wonders of the universe!

A TRULY FANTASTIC NIGHT TO REMEMBER

A spectacular theatrical experience for all.  A journey around the constellations, stars, planets and more. With entertaining tours, stories, and the endless possibilities of our future with the night sky and beyond.

Presented by Adrian West – a passionate and experienced astronomer, presenter and author. Better known as VirtualAstro, he has one of the largest independent astronomy and space accounts on social media.

If you look up and wonder, The Night Sky Show is for you.

Elis James & John Robins

Elis James, John Robins and Dave Masterman are hitting the road! How does that feel?! I’ll tell you how it feels…

SIGNIFICANT!

Yes! Britain’s youngest and most relevant podcast-first broadcasters are coming to a theatre near you, and this time they’re bringing Dave!

Expect Made Up Games, Cymru Connections, Mad Dads and three digital firebrands let loose from the shackles of Billy Balance!

An Evening with Racing Icons Mika Häkkinen & David Coulthard

 

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Age Guidance:  12+

Experience the electrifying reunion of motorsport’s most captivating teammate rivalry as stars Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard take the stage for an uncensored, no-holds-barred conversation about their careers and the 2025 season so far.

Once rivals, then teammates who both enjoyed and endured the ups and downs of intra-team battles, this illustrious duo drove McLaren to the 1998 FIA Formula 1 World Championship for Constructors with a partnership as brilliant and consistent as it was sometimes volatile. Discover how their longstanding rivalry and team partnership evolved into an enduring friendship – forged on the racetrack and strengthened through mutual respect.

Mika, the “Flying Finn,” renowned as the only driver Michael Schumacher ever admitted to fearing, recounts his journey – including joining Ayrton Senna at McLaren, surviving a life-threatening crash at the 1995 Adelaide Grand Prix, and executing his iconic 190mph overtake at the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix, once voted by fans as the greatest overtake in motorsport history. He will also reflect on his path to winning back-to-back Drivers’ Championship titles.

David Coulthard – ‘DC’ as he is known – regarded as one of Britain’s fastest and most consistent drivers in motorsport, will share insights from his 15-season career, from replacing Ayrton Senna at Williams in 1994 to securing his maiden win in 1995, racing for McLaren and Red Bull Racing, and accumulating 13 Grand Prix victories, including two wins each at both the British and Monaco Grands Prix.

Together, they’ll dissect defining moments—from controversial team orders to dramatic on-track collisions—and reflect on how they brought McLaren the World Championship for Constructors in 1998.

They will also share their thoughts on the current 2025 season that started strongly with victories for their former team, McLaren, but with a closely fought battle in prospect against Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, and Mercedes.

Fierce rivals, close friends, and racing icons – don’t miss this unique chance to see Mika and David as you’ve never seen them before. 

 

An Evening with Jimmy Anderson

Age Guidance:  12+ Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

The man for all seasons. England’s greatest ever fast bowler. The Jimmy Anderson is returning to the stage in 2025 for an unrivalled evening of never-before stories from inside the changing room.

With 188 Tests and 700+ wickets to his name, Jimmy remains one of cricket’s most legendary figures – who’s certainly aged like a fine wine. Join him as he reflects on the soaring highs: from facing international greats such as Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar and winning the Ashes four times, to the tough lows of crushing defeats and the shock of being dropped. Jimmy will detail the highlights of this time, his final resurgence under Brendon McCullum, and ending his career with his 700th wicket, all alongside his teammates and lifelong friends on the England team.

Sharing the stage alongside Tailenders co-host and musician Felix White, the duo will also unpack some of their favourite cricketing moments in their usual alternative fashion.

Together they’ll bring sharp(ish) insights, humour and wit to untold stories, recounting their greatest (and most ridiculous) moments together. With the opportunity to ask your own questions, this is a night of cricket, camaraderie, and chaos you won’t want to miss.

In The Window: Meet The Maker: Corrinne Price

The Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival’s 2025 maker is artist Corinne Price; continuing their 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 also be provided on arrival.