Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival 2008

Múinteoir

Been meaning to go for years but determined to make it in 2008. And I get the impression that you need to book everything months in advance. Anyone else here been to it and if so, what is your experience of booking/preparation in advance. Very little info. about the 2008 Festival on the website yet, though the dates are up.

orestes

You should definitely go man, it's the best weekend of the year in my opinion! The dates for the festival are already decided but it will be next year before the shows and line-ups are announced so you have plenty of time, they usually announce them about a month before the start of the festival.

If you want tickets to the bigger shows your best bet is to book online as soon as you can after the tickets are released, but if you don't get tickets to something you really want to see you might still get them down there on the weekend even if the show is sold out, people selling on their tickets if they can't make the show etc. and usually at face value. Also be warned that you should be careful booking your tickets about the time each show starts and how long it goes on, overlap of shows is really common and you can usually see people sprinting through the city to make it from one gig to another one since they ended/started at the same time.

To be honest you shouldn't be worrying about booking gig tickets this early, but you should probably look into accommodation pretty soon. The population of the city doubles for the weekend so places get pretty rare if you leave it too late, and of course the festival performers and official types book up a lot of the hotel space. B & B's are the best bet I think, but they can jack up their prices the closer it gets to the festival and people start getting desperate.

Hope that was some help to ya mate! See you down there!

Múinteoir

Thanks for that. Yeah I emailed them and they said that tickets don't go on sale until April, when the full line up is announced. But I'll probably look into accommadation before that.

Galvasean

Been there the last 2 years. Its defiately worth going to.
Theres a HQ they have in the town centre where there is a buy n sell board where you can post bulletins of spare tickets you need to sell/want, so even if you dont get tickets for one of the shows you want you have a decent chance of getting them there.

grames_bond

i agree with orestes, it is the best weekend of the year, ive been the last 2 years! and the comedians who play at it call it the greatest comedy festival in the world! the website announces the shows then goes "live" a day or two later, givin you a chance to pick your shows, the biggest shows, like tommy tiernans solo shows this year will go straight away so internet bookin is always the best bet! accommodation isnt the hardest 2 get, just book it at least 2 months before it!

Múinteoir

As regards accommodation, is there a particular area that's closest to most of the venues?

grames_bond

Múinteoir wrote: »

As regards accommodation, is there a particular area that's closest to most of the venues?

kilkenny aint the biggest town in the world, you get a b&b in the city centre you are laughin, they are at the most a 10 minute walk away and when you are in the centre ofthe town you wont be goin back to your b&b till all the shows are over and the pubs are closed!!

deise-lady

Múinteoir wrote: »

Been meaning to go for years but determined to make it in 2008. And I get the impression that you need to book everything months in advance. Anyone else here been to it and if so, what is your experience of booking/preparation in advance. Very little info. about the 2008 Festival on the website yet, though the dates are up.

It is the best festival. I go every year and there's always a great atmostphere there.
Also, they put 3 or 4 stand ups on each gig, so if you're not mad about one comedian, you only have to listen to them for 20 mins till the next one comes on.
Book your accomodation now if you can though - here's a link from their website that has good leads -
http://www.smithwickscatlaughs.com/accommodation/

grames_bond

the accommodation on the website goes rediculously quickly but you can search for b&b's online thats arent listed and you wont need to book it right this second, youll have a few months!

Iain

Personally, I much prefer the Edinburgh festival.

I found the Kilkenny festival scheduling quite hard to manage, as the have 3 comedians per show in different combinations. In an effort to see all of the comedians I wanted to see, I ended up seeing a few twice, which was frustrating as it was just the same twenty minutes over.

I probably got too greedy and tried to see too many shows! I did have a great weekend, the weather was fantastic, and some of the comedy was amazing (in particular Dara O'Briain and Adam Hills). We stayed in a lovely B&B just outside the town, a short taxi ride away, which was no problem. The B&B had the name of a friendly taxi driver who would come pretty quickly when we called. this was great as it avoided having to join the massive taxi rank queues

Galvasean

Iain wrote: »

the weather was fantastic,

Weather was pretty bad last year, but brilliant the year before (of course I don't get sun burn in Ireland.... I did have suncream....)

grames_bond

Galvasean wrote: »

of course I don't get sun burn in Ireland....

hahaah brilliant in joke!! but seriously if anyone is even considering going: DO!!

pandaboy

So we're getting to that time of year where Ireland's largest Comedy Festival is hitting the public.

Which of you brilliant comedians are performing as part of the Fringe of the actual festival?

P - Boy

grames_bond

at the moment i kno that robbie bohnam will be there, and i beieve (correct me if im wrong orestes) as will gary fay, dan o shea, damon blake and tim hadfield are the others that i believe will be there!

orestes

Can't speak for the rest of the people you mentioned, or anyone else for that matter, but I'll be performing anywhere that would like me to do so,

grames_bond

orestes wrote: »

Can't speak for the rest of the people you mentioned, or anyone else for that matter, but I'll be performing anywhere that would like me to do so,

id be the exact same, altho orestes i thaught you were already on the neptunes list for bringin to kilkenny!

pandaboy

is the neptune making it down this year? last year was a mega night, oh the partying was one to remember!!!!!

same again this year. I'll be there rocking and rolling. jackanackanory!

grames_bond

pandaboy wrote: »

is the neptune making it down this year? last year was a mega night, oh the partying was one to remember!!!!!!

according to pat o shea (he told me the last time i was in the craichouse) that the neptune will be there along with the criachouse and comedy dublin i think!

Múinteoir

Still nothing new on the website except the exact dates; 29th May - 2nd June.

clovers

is it possible to book tickets for these shows yet or are they all sold out already???

when I go to the central ticket bureau, it doesnt give me any options to select any shows....

orestes

The line-up hasn't been announced yet, tickets won't be on sale for a while yet, all they have confirmed is the date of the festival, so you haven't missed the tickets clover, don't worry

Nightwish

The sole privilege of living in Kilkenny is the Cat Laughs. Its a fantastic weekend. I always go to 3 or 4 shows. If you can get your hungover ass out of bed on the Sunday morning, I highly recommend the comedians soccer match. Truly the funniest thing you'll ever get to see for free.

SHANTZ

I can't wait! I'll be back in Ireland on the 28th. My first stop will be Kilkenny. What a blast last year. Looking forward to see everyone.

Shantz

Múinteoir

Updated website for 2008 goes live on the 21st of April it seems.

orestes

Website is up now, line-ups and show times and all that kinda stuff is there already, no idea why they released it early though

Brian CivilEng

Just spent way too much money booking tickets there, this is gonna be great!

orestes

abitofacomedian wrote: »

Just spent way too much money booking tickets there, this is gonna be great!

Cool, how many shows did you get tickets for? Who are you going to see?

pandaboy

with the exception of like 5 comedians it's the ame show as last year. very disappointing I have to say. looking forward to the Fringe. Orestes have you sorted out gigs for it?

anyone have an opinion on Arj Barker? I haven't checked out his stuff yet, loved him in FOTC tv show.

deise-lady

Are ya mad? there's at least 15 comedians there that werent there last year!Roll on cats Laugh, can't wait!!!!:D

pandaboy

but they'll be well spread out, so you'll be seeing the same comedian more than once, no point in spending the money that they'l be charging for these comedians. tis crazy!!!!

deise-lady

tis all about the craic boy! I want to see Russell Howard and Lee mack. and adam hills - GO YOU BIG RED FIRE ENGINE

Brian CivilEng

orestes wrote: »

Cool, how many shows did you get tickets for? Who are you going to see?

Just booked one show for each night at the moment, going to see Hillsy, Arj Barker, Shappi Khorsandi, Reg D Hunter, Mike Wilmot,Dom Irrera and Andy Parsons. As well as a load of Irish comics. But most excitingly of all, I've booked tickets for Mr. Trellis. The fathers of the Dublin comedy scene, I can't wait!

You heading down yourself?

orestes

pandaboy wrote: »

with the exception of like 5 comedians it's the ame show as last year. very disappointing I have to say. looking forward to the Fringe. Orestes have you sorted out gigs for it?

anyone have an opinion on Arj Barker? I haven't checked out his stuff yet, loved him in FOTC tv show.

Yep, I've sorted gigs out, details will be sorted out shortly. Should be a hell of a weekend, looking forward to it!

DBIreland

I hate to be negative but I have to agree with pandaboy. Line up very similar to last year and this year there is almost no solo show which means less of the comics you like for more money.

What I'll say about the Cat Laughs is the less stand up comedy you've seen before the better the weekend. If you go to a lot of gigs around the country regularly you'll have seen most of these people already (and for a fraction of the cost).

Galvasean

Ive been the last two years, but alas cant make it this year due to financial reasons... Well i spent all my money on a well known singing comedian whose playing on the 31st of May and one VERY well known Scottish comedian on June 4th.
Since the line up is pretty similar i decided it wouldn't be worth taking out a bank loan. One act I would have loved to see was this years 'Messin'. It was great fun last year, arguably the best of show.
I also noticed last year to see all the comics you want sometimes you had to see certain ones twice in the space of two days (or sometimes one day!), the way they generally divide shows between 4 comics. If only Wilmot got a full show...
Next year I hope to save up money and sample the fringe also. Ive only seen one fringe show and that was McSavage, who I see in Dublin all the time. Funny story; two years ago i met Robbie Bonham for the first time in a pub in Kilkenny. I had no idea he was a comedian. He was due to play there shortly after I left. I hope he doesn't hold it against me. Sometimes I really regret some of the decisions Ive made.

orestes

abitofacomedian wrote: »

Reg D Hunter, Mike Wilmot,Dom Irrera and Andy Parsons. As well as a load of Irish comics. But most excitingly of all, I've booked tickets for Mr. Trellis. The fathers of the Dublin comedy scene, I can't wait!

You heading down yourself?

I'll be there, but I'll be too busy doing my own bits and pieces on the fringe to actually catch any shows.

I guess from your username that you do comedy yourself?

Brian CivilEng

orestes wrote: »

I guess from your username that you do comedy yourself?

I would consider myself a bit of a comedian

Naw I do some comedy, and I think I know you. This is a very old username of mine, I go by myfearlessfriend on most other sites.

orestes

abitofacomedian wrote: »

I would consider myself a bit of a comedian

Naw I do some comedy, and I think I know you. This is a very old username of mine, I go by myfearlessfriend on most other sites.

Ah yeah, I do know you actually! Small world eh?! I'll see you down there man!

ballroom blitz

Hey everyone I know this is a little off topic but I'm thinking of heading to the Cat laughs. Problem is I've no accommodation booked yet. What do you think my chances are of finiding somewhere now? Theres about 5 of us going I've looked online but no luck so far. Cheers in advance.

pandaboy

ballroom blitz wrote: »

Hey everyone I know this is a little off topic but I'm thinking of heading to the Cat laughs. Problem is I've no accommodation booked yet. What do you think my chances are of finiding somewhere now? Theres about 5 of us going I've looked online but no luck so far. Cheers in advance.

slim to nil. there's a camp site about a mile from the town centre, if it's even that far away.

Guys I'll be honest the fringe festival is going to be fantastic this year. If ye want something different then go for the fringe as well as the main acts. All of the venues are on the same street with the exception of the Craichouse's first venue and the Ha'Penny.

Seriously though, paying a 10er to see 6 comedians is better than 25 to 30 quid for 4 comedians

orestes

ballroom blitz wrote: »

Hey everyone I know this is a little off topic but I'm thinking of heading to the Cat laughs. Problem is I've no accommodation booked yet. What do you think my chances are of finiding somewhere now? Theres about 5 of us going I've looked online but no luck so far. Cheers in advance.

What kind of accomodation are you looking for? A hotel or a hostel or a b and b? You will have trouble finding somewhere this close to the event but a bit of ringing around and you should be ok, but you might have to move between places during the weekend since a lot of places will only have space on one night of the weekend now

orestes

As well as the official festival, there is also the Fringe Festival that will run over the weekend of the Cats Laughs. One of the highlights of the Fringe this year is going to be the Best of New Irish show. This show brings together 12 of the best new comedians in Ireland. With a bunch of awards and competition credits between them, these are the up-and-coming comedians in Ireland today, the future stars of Irish comedy.

Check out the website for details here

johnny74

orestes wrote: »

What kind of accomodation are you looking for? A hotel or a hostel or a b and b? You will have trouble finding somewhere this close to the event but a bit of ringing around and you should be ok, but you might have to move between places during the weekend since a lot of places will only have space on one night of the weekend now

Hi there,
I've PMd Ballroom Blitz for first option, but we have 6 spots in a house a couple of miles from Kilkenny that would be €640 for the whole weekend. We've a few others booked in the same complex but have had some dropouts - so the whole house would be yours, as long as you're not a homewrecker or anything nasty like that! PM me your details and I'd be happy to send on full details if I get no response from BB.
Cheers,
Johnny.

orestes

johnny74 wrote: »

Hi there,
I've PMd Ballroom Blitz for first option, but we have 6 spots in a house a couple of miles from Kilkenny that would be €640 for the whole weekend. We've a few others booked in the same complex but have had some dropouts - so the whole house would be yours, as long as you're not a homewrecker or anything nasty like that! PM me your details and I'd be happy to send on full details if I get no response from BB.
Cheers,
Johnny.

I already have accomodation sorted for the weekend, thanks anyway man