Sean Hughes, Deirdre O’Kane and Neil Delamere are among the acts lined for a brand new weekend of comedy in Cork this September.

Cork Comedy Fest will be the city’s first dedicated laugh fest and also providing laughs down by the Lee between September 23 and 25 will be Jason Byrne, Kevin McAleer, Bernard O’Shea, Barry Murphy, Heidi O’Loughlin, Foil, Arms & Hog; Eleanor Tiernan in venues such as Cork Opera House, the Everyman, the Roundy and the Imperial Hotel.

Cork Comedy Fest has been developed by Jane Russell, formerly Chief Executive of the Kilkenny Cat Laughs who has also worked on Dublin Fringe, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and Kilkenomics and she believes Cork warrants its own comedy festival.

Sean Hughes is Cork-bound this September

“Cork has a very active comedy scene and lots of discerning fans, so it always struck me as odd that it didn’t have its own festival,” she says.

“Corkonians love having the craic and enjoy a good night out, and comics love playing here. The ambition is to establish the shape of the festival in 2016 but ultimately to develop it into an annual fixture in the Irish entertainment calendar.

“For right now though, I’m already looking forward to a great weekend of world-class comedy in September.”

Deirdre O'Kane

Also included in the programme for September is Fan Fiction, an award-winning improv show that enjoys sell-out runs in both Edinburgh and Melbourne. 2015 Melbourne Comedy Festival Newcomer Award nominee Heidi O’Loughlin is the founder of the gig, which delves into the internet phenomenon of fan fiction.

The festival also sees the Irish premiere of multi-award winning show Kraken, the creation of physical comedian Trygve Wakenshaw.

Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, sketch trio Foil Arms and Hog will bring their brand new show DomDah! to the Everyman for the first time in what will be their biggest gig in Cork to date.

Tickets for Cork Comedy Fest are now on sale. For the full programme, tickets and venue information visit www.corkcomedyfest.com.