Liverpool Irish Festival brings Liverpool and Ireland closer together using arts, culture and heritage. They are custodians of the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail and the largest Irish arts and culture led Festival in the UK. We are publicly funded by Liverpool City Council and the Irish Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, with some sponsorship support from Tourism Ireland. The trail has received three successful National Lottery Heritage Fund grants. 

This year’s theme of “arrivals” spans stories from Mother and Baby Home survivors, economic migrants, An Gorta Mór and individual stories of resilience, identity and hope.

Upcoming events

  • 13 Oct – 📽️ book and documentary launch – the culmination of three years of work and a pilgrimage in partnership with BOXPARK Liverpool
  • 16 Oct – 🎉the Festival launch at Liverpool Irish Centre, with Helen Jones from BBC Radio Merseyside who will be speaking about her Irish summers and best ever job (bookers get a free drink)
  • 18 Oct – 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Arrivals – an exclusive premiere of an LGBTQ love story, told by those it involves (including internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt), with a guest feature from HUSK
  • 20 Oct – 🎭 a Double Feature theatre billing, celebrating Countess Markiewicz’s life and multi-generational Irish lives at Hope Street Theatre
  • 22 Oct – 🎭 Did I Ever Tell Ya is a phenomenal show from David Gilna, who sold out gigs in America with the show he brought to #LIF2023 – Out of D’Blue and now plays at Liverpool’s Royal Court
  • 23 Oct – 🎵 come and see Liverpool’s own Irish musicians and dancers in Welcome Home/Fáilte Abhaile at our own emerald icon, Sefton Park Palm House.
2025 Festival press release: Arrivals