Sponsor pulls out of Irish festival

One of the best-loved comedy festivals on the international circuit is to be slimmed down after its major sponsor pulled out.

Brewers Murphy’s has backed The Cat Laughs event in Kilkenny for the past nine years – but has pulled the plug on sponsorship from this year's festival.

But organiser Richard Cook vowed it would go ahead as planned this June, even if it meant running it on a reduced scale.

The event has attracted the top stand-up talent from Ireland, Britain and, significantly, America in its ten-year history, with acts drawn by its laid-back atmosphere and appreciative audiences.

Murphy's marketing manager Kevin Cullinane said: "Murphy’s has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the Cat Laughs festival for the past nine years, which has played an important part in the development of Irish comedy, as well as developing a major tourism event.

“The sponsorship has been hugely successful for the Murphy’s brand, but it is now time to move on.”

Cook explained: “Murphy’s were very happy with the event, but their market is Cork, and after nine years it was time for them to focus on home.  And I'm not prepared to move the festival to Cork - or anywhere else for that matter.

“Obviously, we're looking for a replacement, but either way, there will still be a Cat Laughs – albeit in a slimmed-down format if that's the way it has to go.”

This year’s event will take place from June 2 to 6.

Published: 17 Jan 2005