This year's Murphy's Cat Laughs festival features a number of US comics, including - almost Kilkenny regulars by now - Emo Philips (with a new show), Dom Irrera and Rich Hall (and alter ego, jailbird Otis Lee Crenshaw).
Newcomers include Americans Danny Bevins (2000 San Francisco International stand-up winner), Jeffrey Ross ("The Meanest Man in Comedy"), Chris Bliss (ex-juggler and Tonight Show regular). Other new faces are Canadians Mike Wilmot and Glen Wool, Australian Kitty Flanagan (who won four stars at the Melbourne festival), and Londoner Ricky Grover (Bulla in The 11 o'clock Show).
Bill Bailey, fresh from the second series of the wonderful Black Books, performs, as does lugubrious north of Englander Peter Kay. Irish talent includes Deirdre O'Kane, The Kevin Gildeas, Colin Murphy, Dara O Briain, David O'Doherty and Pat Shortt doing a solo show. An innovation this year is Book Soup, readings by some top-notch humorous writers: David Sedaris (The Santaland Diaries), Dirk Wittenborn (Fierce People), Pete McCarthy (McCarthy's Bar), Cheers co-writer Rob Long (Conversations with My Agent), India Knight (My Life on a Plate) and Jed Mercurio (Bodies).
The mini cartoon festival features Pulitzer-winner Michael Ramirez (LA Times) juxtaposed with Iranians Nikahang Kowsar and Touka Neyestani. As well as Gilbert Shelton (see above), Tom Mathews (see Artoon, Weekend 2) and Dave Coverley (Speedbump), there is work by Kipper Williams and Nick Newman from the UK and a cartoon debut by comedian Dylan Moran.
Murphy's Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, May 30th - June 3rd. Booking and information (056) 63837 or www.murphyscatlaughs.com