Galway Comedy Festival returns with international line-up

The cream of the comedic crop will bring magic and mischief to this year’s Galway Comedy Festival from 22 – 28 October.  

Festival headliners include British comedy mega-star Russell Howard, alongside Irish comedy legends Deirdre O’Kane, Dara Ó Briain and Mario Rosenstock.  

They will join a 70-strong lineup of international names, home-grown talent and emerging stars. 

Ireland’s biggest comedy festival will take over Galway’s pubs, theatres and venues for seven days and nights.  

The Róisín Dubh remains Comedy Festival HQ, the home of the Bulmers Festival Club. The club will host Karl Spain’s Late Night KARLnival, providing opportunities for comedians to trial their darkest and edgiest material. 

An eclectic showcase of comedy

With a wide-ranging programme, the Galway Festival ventures beyond the realms of stand-up to explore all forms of the art.  

Highlights include celebrations of classic sitcoms Faulty Towers and Father Ted. As well as an unearthing the art of improvisation with the Stephen Frost Improv All Stars.

A screening of the film The Hurler features a notable cast, of which you will surely recognise a face or two!  

The Dirty Circus will take the Róisín Dubh by storm with a diverse programme of burlesque, cabaret, drag and pole performances. 

Galway Comedy Festival is bringing Irish-language comedy to the fore in the bilingual city.

Stand-up show Gáire as Gaeilge will return this year, hosted by Hector Ó hEocháin. Hector will also celebrate the launch of his new book, The Irish Words You Should Know, as part of the festival. 

The festival is also moving outside the boundaries of Galway City for the first time this year. With shows scheduled to take place in Spiddal, Headford and Tuam. 

“Carefully curated craic”

Festival Director Kevin Healy spoke on this year’s offerings: “Once again, we have scoured the globe to bring you more than 70 top-class performers who will tickle, delight and entertain you.  

“We’ve got international headliners, big names from telly, online sensations and a select few we found ripping the roof of basement comedy clubs, but know this: you are in good hands.

“Each one of these artists has been hand-picked by Róisín Dubh Comedy. That’s why we call it carefully curated craic.” 

Find the complete programme and get tickets now at www.galwaycomedyfestival.ie