Mayo venue to host major comedy festival over two nights in May

Ireland's best-loved and longest-running comedy event, The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, is expanding its horizons.

The festival will debut next month in Castlebar, bringing an incredible line-up of stand-up comedians to the town for the very first time.

Known for its unique format where headlining comics perform alongside one another, Kilkenny’s iconic festival has teamed up with Pat Jennings to launch the inaugural Cat Laughs Castlebar at the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre on May 27 and 28 next.

Castlebar has firmly established itself as a comedy hotspot over the past decade, with comedians regularly selling out the TF Royal, and drawing hundreds of thousands of fans each year.

Richard Cook, founder of The Cat Laughs, said: “I’m very proud of the format pioneered by the Cat Laughs, where carefully selected headliners share the stage and perform for 10-15 minutes each.

"It provides a unique experience- a fantastic way to explore a range of comedy styles in one night, all while maintaining the high-quality standard that’s become the Cat Laughs trademark.

"It’s the perfect night out! I’m thrilled to be partnering with Pat Jennings to bring this festival format to the vibrant comedy scenes in Castlebar"

Pat Jennings expressed enthusiasm about the development.

He said: "We are delighted to confirm that Castlebar has joined the highly successful Kilkenny Cat Laughs family.

"Our vision is to establish Cat Laughs Castlebar as a must-attend annual event, delivering top-tier comedy and an unforgettable experience filled with laughter.

"This festival is not only about incredible entertainment but also about contributing to the local economy and community spirit. We are committed to making this a standout fixture in the calendar for years to come."

CAT LAUGHS NINE LIVES GALA 1: Tuesday 27th May

Host: Karl Spain

David O’Doherty

Colin Murphy

Susie McCabe

Scott Bennett

INTERVAL

Jason Byrne

Chris Kent

Enya Martin

Neil Delamere

CAT LAUGHS NINE LIVES – Wednesday 28th May

Host: Kevin McGahern

Gearoid

Mike Rice

Emma Doran

Jason Byrne

INTERVAL

Alison Spittle

Shane Todd

Ger Staunton

Deirdre O’Kane

Get ready for an unforgettable comedy experience in Castlebar this May!