Heralding the start of the summer season since 1995, this year the Kilkenny Cat Laughs are doing things a bit differently, with an eclectic bill that mixes Irish comedy favourites with a whole new generation of talent.
Joining homegrown heroes like Dylan Moran, David O'Doherty, Neil Delamere, Deirdre O'Kane and Alison Spittle for Ireland's annual craic pilgrimage are standups from England, Scotland and Wales who’ve never played in Ireland or Kilkenny before, including Darren Harriott, Finlay Christie and Leroy Brito.
You may know double Edinburgh Award nominee @DarrenHarriott from 'Love Island: Aftersun' & more shows on TV but now's your chance to see this Cat Laughs newcomer in some stellar line ups as well as his solo gig next month in Kilkenny.
— The Cat Laughs (@CatLaughsComedy) May 12, 2023
Check out our site for more on Darren. pic.twitter.com/OCUX26eqxb
Running from June 2nd - 4th at venues venues across Kilkenny city, artistic director, Angela Squire and festival veteran Naoise Nunn have assembled a hilarious lineup that also includes the likes of Abi Clarke, Aideen McQueen, Áine Gallagher, Alison Spittle, Anna Clifford, Anna Thomas, Barry Murphy, Chris Kent, Colm O'Regan, Emman Idama, Enya Martin and Fiona Frawley.
Then that's not to mention Fred Cooke, Gearóid Farrelly, Jake Lambert, Josh Jones, Julie Jay, Karl Spain, Kevin McGahern, Marc Jennings, Mark Simmons, Peter Rethinasamy, Seann Walsh, Shane Daniel Byrne, Ian Coppinger and Susie McCabe.
Each night's programme presents all-star showcases featuring multiple acts, giving punters some serious comedic bang for their buck.
Over the past twenty-five plus years, the festival has nurtured the fledgling careers of Irish acts like Dara Ó Briain, Aisling Bea, Graham Norton and Joanne McNally while welcoming international luminaries like Bill Murray, Zach Galifianakis, Peter Kay, Bill Bailey and Tig Notaro, among many others.
Find out more about this year's Cat Laughs programme here.
