Into The West

Still set to perform before the fest wraps is Dubliner Jason Byrne, who is Seapoint-bound on July 26. Also, be sure to head along to the Ruby Room in King’s Head for Gerry Mallon’s Laughter Loft. Throughout the festival, Gerry has been welcoming the likes of Maeve Higgins, Karl Spain, David McSavage, Keith Farnan, Colm O’Regan, as well as a host of local up-and-coming acts.
This fortnight also sees the Vodafone Comedy Festival take place in Dublin’s fair city. This annual event welcomes the cream of the comedic crop, who’ll perform in the scenic surroundings of the Iveagh Gardens for four days of unadulterated hilarity. Among those set to perform are the excellent Reginald D. Hunter, ‘Man of 1,000 Sound Effects’ Michael Winslow and Brooklyn-based comedian/musician Reggie Watts. The Irish flag will be well-flown too, with the likes of P.J. Gallagher, the aforementioned Jason Byrne, David O’Doherty, Tommy Tiernan and Fred Cooke all lined up too.
Down south, virtuoso impressionist Mario Rosenstock is INEC-bound for a slew of performances of Gift Grub 2 Live. Catch him from August 4 – 10. Tommy Tiernan meanwhile brings his world tour series to Mayo’s Linenhall Arts Centre (July 27, 28, 29, 30 and August 1), while in Belfast’s Waterfront Auditorium, Ross Noble does his thing from August 4 – 9. Magician/illusionist/freak of nature Keith Barry, who thankfully is in full health after dramatically collapsing during an escape performance last week, takes to the Olympia’s stage for two nights (July 27, 28) while Des Bishop heads to the Ashdown Park Hotel for three shows (August 7, 8, 9).