Galway set for lots of laughs

The Vodafone Galway Comedy Carnival takes place in the city next month, and proof of its massive success last year is the fact that this year’s festival is being spread across two pop-up venues in Eyre Square.

The by-now familiar Spiegeltent will again be erected in the Square, but will be accompanied by a brand-new sister venue called ‘The Red Box’ for the festival, which runs from Tuesday, October 25 to Monday, October 31.

Organisers have managed to attract a stellar line-up for this year’s event, with Galway resident and Galway City Tribune columnist, Tommy Tiernan, being joined by other home-grown talent such as Jason Byrne, David O’Doherty, Andrew Maxwell, David McSavage, Al Porter, The Rubberbandits, Aisling Bea, Deirdre O’Kane, PJ Gallagher, Bernard O’Shea, Barry Murphy, The Nualas, Colin Murphy, Joe Rooney, Fred Cooke, Chris Kent, Joanne McNally, Eleanor Tiernan, Colm O’Regan, John Colleary, and Eric Lalor.

The Waterford Whispers News Live show could be particularly mischievous as should the darker late night KARLnival with celebrity transformer Karl Spain. Today FM’s Dermot & Dave are hosting their hotly-anticipated Live show, Abandoman.

The net has been cast internationally as well for this year’s event, and has managed to ensnare the likes of Jason Manford; Milton Jones, who has succeeded the late, legendary Henny Youngman as the ‘king of the one liners’; Edinburgh Comedy award winner, Sam Simmons, Edinburgh Newcomer award winner, Sophie Hagen; and 8 out of 10 Cats star, Joe Lycett.

The organisers went Stateside to grab two of the original giants of improv, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from Whose Line is it Anyway. They’ll be joining The Steven Frost Improv Allstars for an unmissable show.

Others on the festival programme include Better Call Saul’s Joe DeRosa, Tom Stade, Glen Wool, Jamali Maddix, Lloyd Langford, Police Academy sound effects genius Michael Winslow, Foil Arms and Hog, and The Pajama Men.

“We would especially like to thank Galway City Council for allowing us to build our festival hub in Eyre Square and to squeeze in a new venue – The Red Box,” said festival director, Kevin Healy.

“My hope is that anyone making their first trip to Galway be they customers or performers get to experience some of the magic that residents and regular visitors feel so intensely.

“I’d also like to express my gratitude to our main sponsors Vodafone whose outstanding commitment to live comedy is remarkable and allows us to put on such a great show.”

■ Tickets are now on sale at www.vodafonecomedycarnival. Com