Liverpool Irish Festival

04/09/2026

📖 A night of poetry, Liverpool memories and Irish stories

Just before , Greg Quiery launches his third poetry collection, The Dancing Field.

Continuing Greg’s reflections on Liverpool’s turbulent past and the Liverpool Irish community, the collection explores migration, memories of Ireland and the environmental crisis.

Greg will be joined by award-winning poet Mandy Coe and Liverpool Dead Good Poets organiser Colin Watts, who will also be reading from their work.

📍 Blackburne House Group Café
🕕 6pm, Thurs 1 Oct
🎟️ £2, booking required. Book below 🔽

Books will be available to purchase on the night.

https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/greg-quiery-book-launch-the-dancing-field/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Socials&utm_campaign=Greg%20Quiery%20book%20launch

Historian Greg Quiery celebrates the launch of his third poetry collection, The Dancing Field. Supported by Mary Coe and Colin Watts.

03/09/2026

🎭 What does it mean to make Irish work in Britain today?

On Thursday 15 October, our Cultural Connectedness Exchange Network ( ) comes together in Liverpool for its annual in-person practice day.

Focusing on this year’s I Am Here theme, the day brings together Irish and Northern Irish artists, creatives, cultural organisations and commissioners to connect, collaborate and explore how Irish work is made, represented and seen across the UK.

Join us for work sharing, honest conversations, problem-solving and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow creatives.

Plus, a tour of Emerald Lens' St Brigid's Arms exhibition!

📍 Victoria Gallery and Museum
🕙 10am–4pm, Thurs 15 Oct
🎟️ Free, booking essential

The day is supported by the Government of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Programme.

02/09/2026

💚 Step inside The St Brigid’s Arms

What if the traditional Irish pub became a space created by and for Irish women?

Opening this October at Victoria Gallery and Museum, The St Brigid’s Arms is a fictional pub with a very real purpose - bringing together stories, memories and experiences of women of Irish heritage living in the North of England.

Through art, music, dance and personal stories, this community exhibition explores migration, identity, belonging and heritage, while celebrating the rich and often untold stories of Irish women across generations.

Whilst you're here for , come through the doors and discover the voices, memories and traditions that make up these stories.

📅 From 2 October 2026-April 2027
🕙 Weekdays & Saturdays, 10am–5pm
📍 Victoria Gallery and Museum
🎟️ Free entry

01/09/2026

💚 The Festival begins here.

Join us at Liverpool Irish Centre on Weds 14 October as we officially launch Liverpool Irish Festival 2026!

This year’s launch is centred on I Am Here - and our special guest Enda McCabe embodies that spirit; A Dubliner by birth who spent 24 years in England before returning to Ireland, Enda is back performing after receiving a kidney transplant in 2021 following almost seven years on dialysis.

His show brings together songs, music and stories drawn from his own experiences, including reflections on his transplant journey - a powerful story of resilience, compassion and the gift of being here.

Come along to toast the start of , meet old friends and new faces, and hear from Enda and Melody Makers as we begin ten days of Irish culture across Liverpool.

📍 Liverpool Irish Centre
🕕 6pm–9pm, Weds 14 Oct
🎟️ Free - book ahead for your free arrival drink

Supported and hosted this year by the wonderful Consulate of Ireland Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester



Book now on our website! 🔽
https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/festival-preview-and-launch-feat-enda-mccabe/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social+media&utm_campaign=Volunteer

28/08/2026

🚨 Work for Fréa!

Fréa - a unique partnership of three Irish charities working together to create greater impact - is hiring a Head of Fundraising and Development 🏦

Are you an experienced fundraiser looking for something fresh? You'll work with existing platforms across Fréa whilst adding your own real finesse to the organisation, using a collaborative approach to a collaborative organisation!

Fréa are great friends of Liverpool Irish Festival, particularly through their strand Renewing Roots, who we're working with again for (more on that soon 👀)

Head to Charity Jobs to find out more about the role!

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/fr-a/head-of-fundraising-and-development/1080353?tsId=36

27/08/2026

🫵 Join our team!

Now you've had a chance to digest the programme, we wanted to remind you that you don't have to just attend our events... you can be part of making the magic happen!

We're looking for volunteers for this year's Festival, and all you need to do is:
✅ Commit to 2-3 events during the 10 day Festival
✅ Be 18+
✅ Have a referee who can recommend you

No interviews, no long applications, just an easy-access chance to get involved in the UK's biggest Irish Festival! Apply now on our website 🔽

https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/engage/volunteer/

24/08/2026

📣Save the dates! The programme is here!

Liverpool Irish Festival is BACK! From 15–25 October 2026, we’re asking a simple but powerful question: what does it mean to say “I am here”?

An act of arrival.
A statement of presence.
An acknowledgement of your voice.

Across ten days, more than 50 artists, musicians, dancers, writers, filmmakers, thinkers and cultural organisations will come together across Liverpool to explore what it means to arrive - in a city, in a culture, in a life - and what we carry with us when we do.

Expect live music, theatre, contemporary dance, traditional music, literature, film, heritage walks, talks, family events, sport, céilís and community celebrations - alongside opportunities to reflect on some of the more difficult and contested parts of Irish history.

And whether you come for the music, the stories, the history, the dancing, the conversation, the craic - or simply because you want to be part of something - you are welcome here.

I am here. Come and join us. 💚

📅 15–25 October 2026

📍 Across Liverpool

🎟️ Explore the full programme and book your tickets now:

https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+media&utm_campaign=Launch

📸 A group of Irish dancers hold their arms up in leafy Sefton Park Palm House, signifying the end of the dance.

Culture Liverpool

21/08/2026

🚨 !

Autumn is on it's way, and so is a very special announcement from us...

Sign up to our E-Newsletter for exclusive access to some exciting news landing next week 👀



https://liverpoolirishfestival.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c596798d9ff2071189b0f7ccb&id=8b434d0d34

18/08/2026

🏡 I Am Here because...

This year's theme 'I Am Here' doesn't just apply to our Irish communities; we want everyone to be able to proudly stand and say 'I Am Here' ✊

Having been a port city, Liverpool is a city built on immigration and the perserverance of many different cultures and communities. We think everyone should be proud of the reason they are here in Liverpool, or wherever they lay their head.

Complete the sentence in the comments below, I Am Here because... ⬇️

👂A speech given at last year's launch by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, accompanied by music from Brown Wimpenny

14/08/2026

🫵 We want you!

Applications to volunteer at 2026 are open now! Are you...

👶 18 or over?
💚 A member of, or interested in, Liverpool's Irish community?
🎨 Looking for some work experience in the arts?
😇 Wanting to give back and meet new people?

If so, volunteering at could be for you. By committing to just 2-3 shifts across 10 days, you can get access to a range of Liverpool Irish Festival events, from live music to stunning theatre!

No experience needed, just a willingness to get involved and availability between 15-25 Oct 2026. If this sounds like you, head to our Volunteer page and apply now! We can't wait to hear from you.

https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/engage/volunteer/