Cat Laughs 2009 - Here We Go Again

Darragh and Darren have already regaled you with the highlights of last year’s Festival so I won’t go throught it again. In case I haven’t made it clear yet, I am really really looking forward to the weekend and we’ve really prepared for this year. We’re going to everything. Practically. Last year’s festival was one of my highlights of 2008 and not merely because of the comedy. The atmosphere of the weekend is something I’m really hoping we can recreate and for that reason I am also looking forward to:

1. Great weather

We’re Irish so it’s only natural to talk about the weather. The topic has been playing on my mind for some time now - since April actually, the day I bought our 18 tickets for the weekend. Last year the sun shone throughout and I had the blisters to prove it. So having checked out the forecast I am happy to report:

“Temperatures will exceed 20 degrees in many areas but moderate to fresh southeast breezes will keep southern and eastern coastal areas several degrees cooler. The settled spell will continue over the BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND but it may become cloudy in parts of the west and southwest and the odd shower may break out here also. Temperatures will continue to exceed 20 degrees in most areas and light to moderate easterly winds will set in by MONDAY.”

2.. Comedy Football - Fairgreen, Sunday 31st May, 2.30pm ( Free).

The Comedians Football match on Sunday is the place to go to see the real drama unfold (big bunch of girls) and this year I will be giving lessons on the off-side rule from the side of the pitch.

3. Movies

And after the match I’m thinking a Movie. Since most shows start about 6/6.30pm - The Cinema on Fairgreen might be a good place to spend the afternoon. Of course, being a Bank Holiday and a sunny one at that we will most likely end up in a Beer Garden somewhere.

Speaking of which…

4. Beer Gardens

If you haven’t been to Kilkenny before try out Langton’s Garden Bar and the water side terrace at The Rivercourt.

If you can score the window seats in Morrison’s on Ormond Street it’s practically a beer garden, with a great view of all the passers-by. Warning: Those seats are mine and I will fight you for them.

5. Just Beer

*low voice* And in the event that it does rain - not to worry, there are plenty of lovely haunts to watch the rain go by. The Lower Floor Hotel bar at The Ormond, Cleere’s and Langton’s to name just a few. Cleere’s should have some music over the weekend and Langton’s also do a killer breakfast for Sunday morning sore heads. Nyom nyom nyom.

6. Kilkenny Castle

Located in the middle of the City, Kilkenny Castle (built in the 12th Century - oh yes, I learned something) is open to visitors from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Admission €6 per adult. I’m thinking picnic on the grass.

There’s also a Food Market on the grounds of the Castle on Sunday 31st May from 11 am-4pm 5. Cinema Dylan Moran’s “A Film With Me In It” will be showing in The Parade Tower of the Castle on Saturday 30th at 10.30pm. For more info check out here.

I’m starting to sound like a tourism brochure so…

7. Catching up with old friends.

We bumped into so many strange old heads last year it was beginning to feel a bit like a reunion. It’s a bit like Oxygen in that sense. And since most of our promises to keep in touch failed, I look forward to some of the same again this year.

8. Retro Sweeties.

Kilkenny seems to have a collection of strange little confectionery shops that have been around since 1880′s. I’m going on a SUNT - apple drops and jawbreakers ftw.

9. And finally, once more talking about how much the Festival rocked for the next 12 months.