Dublin is getting a whole lot funnier this September.
The inaugural Dublin Comedy Festival is bringing a month of stand-up, live comedy and entertainment to venues across the city and beyond, with more than 27 shows taking place across 15 venues throughout September and into early October.
And rather than keeping everything concentrated in the city centre, the festival is spreading the laughs far and wide, with shows taking place in Lucan, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Palmerstown, Clonsilla, Swords, Maynooth, Goatstown, Dún Laoghaire, Killiney and Dalkey.
The result is a proper city-wide comedy festival, bringing some of Ireland and the UK’s biggest comedy names closer to audiences in their own neighbourhoods.
The line-up is a big one. Reginald D. Hunter, Al Porter, Andrew Maxwell, Deirdre O’Kane, David McSavage, Jarlath Regan, Aideen McQueen, Willa White and Eric Lalor are among the names appearing throughout the festival, alongside comedians, improvisers and emerging talent.
There is plenty of variety too. Alongside traditional stand-up, the programme includes character comedy, improv and some decidedly unpredictable nights, meaning there should be something for pretty much every kind of comedy fan.
The festival kicks off on Friday, September 11, with Dave Young: 30 Years of Comedy at Courtney’s of Lucan and Andrew Maxwell at Peacock’s Bar & Lounge in Swords.
Things ramp up throughout the month, with Risteard Cooper: Out of His Head at The Queens in Dalkey on September 17, Reggie’s Farm at The Purty Kitchen on September 19, followed by a particularly busy run of shows from September 23 to 27 featuring names including Deirdre O’Kane, Reginald D. Hunter, David McSavage, Karen Underwood, Willa White, Eric Lalor, Al Porter and Alchemy Improv.
And it isn’t all comedy. The festival programme also includes live music, with Paddy Casey performing in Lucan on October 2 and Sharon Shannon appearing at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney on October 3.
One of the more appealing things about the festival is its focus on local venues. Shows are taking place everywhere from The Old Mill in Tallaght and Palmerstown House to The Broadway in Clondalkin, The Clonsilla Inn, The Roost in Maynooth, The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel and venues in Lucan, Swords and Dún Laoghaire.
For audiences, that means a chance to see major comedy acts without necessarily having to make the trip into the city centre.
Festival organiser Aidan Killian said:
“We wanted to create something that would bring comedy to audiences right across Dublin rather than concentrating everything in the city centre. There are fantastic venues and huge audiences for live entertainment all over Dublin, and the response to the festival so far has been incredible.”
With tickets starting from €17, the festival is also aiming to keep the price of a good night out relatively accessible, with several shows already attracting strong demand.
The inaugural Dublin Comedy Festival, sponsored by Rockshore, looks set to turn September into one long excuse to get out, have a few laughs and discover what’s happening at a venue not too far from home.
Because when there are comedians this good appearing all over Dublin, you really don’t have much excuse not to go.
Full programme and Tickets at: www.dublinwestcomedyfest.ie
