New and familiar faces for annual Comedy Festival

UK comedy superstar John Bishop, TV’s Phill Jupitus, Milton Jones and Seann Walsh, plus Irish legends Deirdre O’Kane, Ardal O’Hanlon, Kevin McAleer, Barry Murphy, Andrew Maxwell and David McSavage have been added to the bill for this year’s Galway Comedy Festival which takes place from Tuesday, October 24, to Monday, October 30. They join previously announced acts, including Jim Jefferies, Panti Bliss, Omid Djalili, Rhys Darby, Jimeoin, Rich Hall, Emma Doran, Reginald D Hunter, Serena Terry’s Mammy Banter, Enya Martin, John Colleary, Al Porter and Polish TikTok star, Mama Na Obrotach.

According to Festival organiser, Kevin Healy, this will be “the most exciting and ambitious line-up yet assembled in the event’s near 20-year history”, with more than 70 established and emerging comedians performing in 69 shows across 17 venues in Galway City.

Liverpool’s John Bishop, one of the most popular names on the circuit, will headline shows in the Black Box, Leisureland and Róisín Dubh. A working class hero with an impeccable Scouse accent, Bishop has become a household name, due to his ‘everyman’ brand of comedy.

Sydney’s Jim Jefferies, who is billed as “equal parts charming, brash, confrontational and offensive”, has added a third show, due to demand. The award-winning comic will Give ‘Em What They Want in Leisureland, on Friday, October 27, in addition to his shows that Wednesday and Thursday.

Pictured: Polish-language Tik-Tox sensation Mama Na Obrotach will present her debut solo show at this year's Comedy Festival.