Galway comedy festival laughing all the way to the bank

 Up to 40 of the 55 shows which are taking place as part of the Bulmers Galway Comedy Festival look set to sell out as the eight year old festival – which begins this evening – continues to punch above its weight on the European comedy circuit.

 Shows by Kevin Bridges at the Radisson SAS Hotel, David O’Doherty at the Town Hall Theatre, and the Faulty Towers Dining Experience at the Salthill Hotel have already sold out as the festival looks set for record takings at the box-office.

The seven night bash features the strongest line-up yet of international and Irish comedians for a festival which started with much more humble beginnings – ten shows at three venues – in 2005.

“People on the international comedy circuit really took notice of what we did when we put on 50 shows last year,” said Artistic Director Kevin Healy yesterday.

“We decided to put on more big acts and people have really responded positively to having so many big names on the bill. It looks as though we are going to sell out between 30 and 40 of the 55 shows, which is phenomenal for a city of Galway’s size.”

The packed programme of events includes some big names on the international circuit such as Lee Mack, Bridges, Stewart Lee, and Phill Jupitus, who loves Galway thanks to his regular appearances at the old GPO night club on Eglinton Street back in the 1980s.

Both of Kevin Bridges’ shows sold out within an hour of going on sale, proving there is a huge appetite for big name acts in Galway. Russell Howard is playing three shows, of which tonight’s bash at the G Hotel has already sold out – but there are still a limited number available for Seapoint tomorrow night (Wednesday) and the Town Hall Theatre on Thursday.

Mr Healy is thrilled to have secured the likes of Eddie Pepitone, Abandoman, and Iranian native Omid Djalili for this year’s programme.

Irish acts on the bill over the next seven nights include Sean Lock, David O’Doherty, Jason Byrne, Neil Delamere, Andrew Maxwell, Maeve Higgins, Colin Murphy, Barry Murphy, Karl Spain, The Nualas and the Stars of Father Ted.

“We reckon 50% of the people who come to our shows come from out of town, so the festival does provide a boost to Galway over the October Bank Holiday,” said Mr Healy.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel