By Andy Spearman
The Drogheda Comedy Festival is all set to take place over the weekend of March 8th – 10th in a number of venues and, if the launch event is anything to go by, the festival itself is going to be brilliant.
The official launch of the event, which took place yesterday evening in the back bar of the Weavers pub in West Street was like no other launch event.
Yes there were speeches but thankfully they were short and, with speakers of the calibre of comedians Barry Murphy and Karl Spain, both of whom will be taking part in the festival, mostly hilarious.
This was unlike any other event launch in Drogheda. Barry Murphy, who was the official compere of the launch, brought his German cousin, Gunther Grun, along to deliver the obligatory few words.
Gunther, who for some reason decided to tell his captive audience about his school days, mentioned a Peruvian teacher he had who was such a dreadful bully that the students called him Matthew Beat You!
Getting back to the business in hand Gunther described the programme for the festival as “ridiculously good” with a line-up including Jason Byrne, Deirdre O’Kane, David McSavage, John Colleary, Emma Doran, Tony Cantwell, Shane Daniel Byrne, Joe Rooney and the ridiculously funny and ever popular many, many more.
Introducing the first speaker, Trevor Connolly of the Drogheda BID Group, Gunther said: “If you’re going to make a shit speech, at least make it short!” Trevor did as he was told, his speech was short and to the point.
Collette Farrell of the Droichead arts Festival said the festival was not just about established comedians doing their thing but there will also be community workshops for young people to try their hand at stand up at the Boomerang Café.
Gunther was soon away on another rant though. “If you think we comedians do this for the money” he said, “you’re wrong, we do it because we’re stupid!”
While Gunther took a well-earned rest, Karl Spain, a comedian from Limerick (God love him), said that just having a Comedy Festival in Drogheda while Dundalk doesn’t have one, makes it totally worthwhile!
Referring to the great line-up Karl said: “Don’t just come to see me, go to see the others as well!”
“The venues are all grand and there’s a little bit of something for everyone” he said and then warned people to get their tickets as soon as possible.
“There’s only 2,500 tickets available, so go online now and get yours straight away at www.droghedacomedyfestival.ie/.”
Louth County Council is one of the main funders of the festival, and the new Louth Tourism Officer, Sabhbh Ni Mhaolagain spoke at the launch alongside the new Night Time Economy Advisor, Mark Davies who is co-ordinating the festival, collaborating with the numerous bars and venues across Drogheda.
