Vodafone Comedy Carnival Galway Full Programme Revealed!

We're back! The Vodafone Comedy Carnival is returning to Ireland's favourite party city this October. This year's festival runs for 7 days from Tuesday 20th October to Monday 26th October. The spectacular lineup features iconic International stars: Dylan Moran, Jason Manford, Rich Hall and Nina Conti as well as a massive selection of comedy genres to choose from. If you like it thoughtful, then Stewart Lee is coming to town. Thoughtful and dark – try Andrew Maxwell. How about the knockabout madness of Jason Byrne and PJ Gallagher, the sketch supremos Foil Arms and Hog and rising superstar – Al Porter.

Telly stars are here in abundance: Phill Jupitus, Shappi Khorsandi, Terry Alderton, Tiffany Stevenson, Seann Walsh, Aisling Bea and Hal Cruttendon. We've got the musical genius of Beardyman& speedily impressive improvisional skills of Abandoman and Rich Hall's Hoedown. Homegrown heroes like Ardal O' Hanlon, Après Match, David McSavage, Colin Murphy and Bernard O' Shea. Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience. The Simpsons Backstage Tour with Mike Reiss. Last year's massive hit show Late Night KARLnival returns with Karl Spain. The comeback kids Patrick Kielty and Deirdre O'Kane are on the way. Brilliant oddballs such as Paul Currie and The Two Johns abound. A North American contingent: Letterman star Eddie Brill, raucous Canadian Mike Wilmot, star of the John Bishop show (another Canadian) Tanyalee Davis. Yet another Canadian John Hastings. Aussie, Damian Clark and many more that can only be categorised under extremely funny.

In true comedy club fashion we will be giving fresh new up and coming comedy talent an outlet. Check out local heros Steve Bennett, the Comedy Cocktails Crew and in his 50s but new to stand up, Pádraic Breathnach.

We will also be squeezing in three shows from the Stephen Frost Improv AllStars, The Lads of Comedy and an all-Irish language show from GaelGáirí Club Grinn.

Last year's Spiegeltent Paradiso venue was the hit of the festival. This year we are bringing another Spiegeltent, “Idiolize” and this time we are pitching up in Eyre Square in the heart of the city, so you'll never be far from the action. The unique magical atmosphere it brings has to be experienced.

Some shows like Dylan Moran, Nina Conti, Stewart Lee & Patrick Kielty are already on sale and are fast selling out. All other shows go on sale Monday August 31st.

Festival Director, Kevin Healy announced

"We have spent the last year tracking down and booking the very best comedians in the world. We went after the ones that make us laugh the hardest regardless of genre. That's why we have such a wonderful spread of styles to celebrate our festival turning 10 years old. As Galway ramps up its bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2020, I'd like to thank Galway City Council for allowing us to occupy Eyre Square with our flagship venue – the Spiegeltent. They have really done their bit to put comedy centre stage in Galway this October. With their help and the galaxy of comedic talent performing, I hope we have a festival whose success will reflect strongly on the city and enhance Galway's bid to be recognized for the uniqueness and richness of it's culture."

Robert Hyland, Sponsorship and Engagement Manager, Vodafone Ireland, said "We're delighted, again this year, to be involved with the Vodafone Comedy Carnival Galway. This year's festival is set to the best yet with a stellar line-up of comedic talent. The cultural charm of Galway coupled with the Spiegeltent being pitched for the first time in the iconic Eyre Square is sure to make this years festival truly memorable. We would encourage comedy fans to check out centrestage.vodafone.ie for lots of exclusive content as well as chances to win tickets".

Last year's Spiegeltent Paradiso venue was the hit of the festival. This year we are bringing another Spiegeltent, “Idiolize” and this time we are pitching up in Eyre Square in the heart of the city, so you'll never be far from the action. The unique magical atmosphere it brings has to be experienced.

Full line-up will be announced on Thursday August 27th at VodafoneComedyCarnival.com with all tickets on sale Monday, August 31st.

-ENDS-

Further information:

Sorcha O'Flanagan PR,

T: 086 021 7556 E: sorcha@sorchaoflanaganpr.com

About Vodafone

Vodafone is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 31 March 2015, Vodafone had 446 million mobile customers and 12 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.