Liverpool Irish Festival 2025

The annual Liverpool Irish Festival features more than 30 events across 10-days and is anticipated to attract an estimated 10,000 visitors to the city. The festival will take place from Thursday, October 16 until Sunday, October 26. Founded in 2003, the festival brings Liverpool and Ireland closer together using arts, culture and heritage as the most diverse celebration of Irish culture anywhere in the UK.

Opening with the world premiere of a documentary — alongside a new book , Reveal (Mon 13 Oct, Boxpark), each about the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail — this preview shares three-years of research. It includes documenting The Walk of the Bronze Shoes pilgrimage from Ireland to Liverpool. 

This year’s theme of ‘arrivals’ explores migration, settlement, new philosophies and finding home. It additionally marks the 180th-anniversary of An Gorta Mór with renewed significance. The programme spans from children’s activities to heritage exploration, featuring artists from theatre, film, spoken word, visual arts and academia.

Programme Highlights

Heritage at the heart: The Liverpool Irish Famine Trail vigil (Sun 26 Oct) leads into the annual Liverpool Irish Great Hunger memorial (Sun 26 Oct). 

Theatre spotlight: Queer Arrivals (Fri 17 Oct, The Unity) sees Gráinne Hunt share her deeply personal musical journey into queerness, supported by electrofolk artist HUSK. David Gilna brings Did I Ever Tell Ya to Liverpool's Royal Court (Wed 22 Oct), while Green Curtain Theatre presents The Irish Countess and Call Yourself an Irishman as a double bill (Mon 20 Oct, Hope Street Theatre).

Music and tradition: Dallahan close out the Festival at Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room (Sun 26 Oct), while The Druids return onSun 19 Oct, Liverpool Irish Centre.

Literary voices: Multi-award-winning novelist Eimear McBride features in an exclusive online Literary Salon from 16 October. 

Family focus returns with the popular Family Day Saturday 25 Oct at the Museum of Liverpool with The Armagh Rhymers and their exclusive Liver Bird story, plus performances from multiple dance schools.

Visual arts: Four exhibitions showcase Irish creativity: Review at the Rathbone, Celebrating Irish craft and In the Window: Corinne Price run at Bluecoat Display Centre. Fréa's Renewing Roots programme shares its collective creative expressions at Northern Lights. 

The Festival launches officially at 6pm on Thurs 16 Oct at Liverpool Irish Centre. It will feature programme previews and BBC Radio Merseyside's Helen Jones.

Full Details & Programme Information

Venue details