In its 15th year, Liverpool Irish Festival continues to celebrate the cultural connections between Liverpool and Ireland. Music remains at the heart of the festival, with pub trad sessions, supper céilí and Ireland’s most prominent punk poet, there’s a blend of old and new.
Jinx Lennon
19 Oct, 9pm, £7/£5 + Eventbrite booking fee, Everyman Theatre, Street Café & Theatre Bar
A meeting with Liverpool band Clinic at LIF2014 spurred Dundalk’s punk poet with a new lease of inspiration adding a “lysergic colour to his sound”. Two albums were released in October 2016 to rave reviews. Christy Moore calls him Ireland’s best songwriter. Jinx Lennon says he’s focusing on the ordinariness of life and leaving the political soapbox behind, but his music is just as raw as ever.
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/jinx-lennon-concert/
Visible Women – New and powerful women in music
27 Oct, 8pm-10.30pm, £14 + 7.5% booking fee, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room
An evening of exceptional female talent from Liverpool and Ireland. Four acts celebrating contemporary music and the women making it. With modern takes on traditional songs, self-penned tracks and exceptional instrumental talent, the night is hosted by Gerry Ffrench, a popular local radio star and touring musical artist in her own right. The line-up includes sets increasing in length from Emma Lusby (Limavady, Co Londonderry), Mamatung (Liverpool), Sue Rynhart and Ailbhe Reddy (both from Dublin), who headlines.
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/visible-women/
Seafoam Green presented by Mellowtone
20 Oct, 8pm, £10 from Skiddle, The Vines
Soulful psych-folk meets Americana. Festival favourite Dave O’Grady (Dublin) returns to the Liverpool Irish Festival with his band Seafoam Green in this impressive, yet underused city venue.
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/seafoam-green-presented-mellowtone/
The Whistlin’ Donkeys
20 Oct, 8pm-10pm, £10, Liverpool Irish Centre
The Whistlin’ Donkeys are a County Tyrone based folk/trad/rock super group. A six piece band they bring a raw energy and freshness with their music. Having shared stages with the likes of The Beachboys, The Dubliners and Bagatelle, these seasoned pros are not to be missed! @thewhistlindonkeys http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/the-whistlin-donkeys/
The Eskies
21 Oct, 8pm-11pm, £12 (+7.5% booking fee) Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room
Cast out, blacklisted, rejected and ejected from gentlemen’s clubs far and wide, five dejected cast asides joined forces in what was to be their own celebration of commonality. Described as folk noir, gypsy jazz, sea shanty swaggerers, The Eskies (Dublin) are sure to have you clappin’, hollerin’ and maybe even reelin’ in no time!
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/the-eskies/
The Breath
26 Oct, 7.30pm-9.45pm, £11.50 + booking fee, The Capstone Theatre
The Breath is Stuart McCallum (ex-guitarist of The Cinematic Orchestra), Irish singer Rioghnach Connolly, fellow Cinematic alumnus pianist John Ellis and drummer Elliot Bennett. Mixing Irish folk influences with mesmerizing guitar riffs, anthemic themes and powerful hooks, Connolly’s soulful vocals are interwoven into the electronic fabric of McCallum’s distinctive sound-world.
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/the-breath/
Mellowtone Presents Only Child
27 Oct, 8pm-10.30pm, £7, St Bride’s Church
Festival favourites, Only Child appear with String Quartet and special guests Limerance and Rachael Jean Harris. Only Child have released two albums and two EPs since 2012 and have headlined Liverpool’s The Music Room, View Two Gallery, Zanzibar Club and The Magnet, among others. For this special concert Only Child will be accompanied by a string quartet to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the group’s debut gig.
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/mellowtone-presents-only-child/
Family céilí and Comhaltas’s 60th celebrations
29 Oct, 2pm-5pm, £5/£2 (children), Liverpool Irish Centre
This year’s céilí celebrates 60 years since the establishment of the Liverpool branch of Comhaltas, a cultural movement promoting and preserving Irish music, dance and language. It has been instrumental in maintaining the tradition of Irish music teaching, playing and appreciation here and away from the city, is incredibly important and we welcome you to join in.
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/family-ceili-comhaltass-60th-celebrations/
Samhain at Kelly’s ft. The Jesse Janes and Conleath McGeary
27 Oct, 8:30pm-11:30pm, FREE, Kelly’s Dispensary
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!
http://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/samhain-kellys-ft-jesse-janes-conleath-mcgeary/
Trad Sessions
Kelly’s Dispensary, The Edinburgh, Peter Kavanagh’s
Liverpool Irish Festival’s trad sessions are part of the fabric of the festival, bringing together trad musicians to play in some of the city’s finest pubs.
Head to www.liverpoolirishfestival.com for dates and locations.