Kilkenny line-up announced

The international event, now in its 13th year, attracts always some of the best names in comedy, drawn to its party atmosphere and sold-out audiences

Other overseas guests at this year’s event – which runs from May 31 to June 4 - include Carl Barron, Australia’s biggest-selling comic on DVD; Americans Mike Birbiglia, Nick Griffin and Jeff Cauldwell and Canadian Stewart Francis

The festival mainly comprises stand-up in a club atmosphere – but Phil Kay, David O’Doherty, Adam Hill, Andrew Maxwell, Tomy Tiernan, Reuben and Colin Murphy will be performing one-man shows.

Merton will be spreading the word about silent film comedy with his Silent Clowns show; while McShane is part of an international improv line-up.

Other regulars making return appearances include Owen O'Neill, Jason Byrne, Ed Byrne, Fred MacAulay, Andrew Maxwell and Dom Irrera.

The festival artistic director, Eddie Bannon , said: ‘Smithwick's Cat Laughs is consolidating its position as one of the top five comedy festivals in the world. The 2007 festival is truly a snapshot of all that is great in International Stand-Up comedy today.’

For more information, visit the official website.

• Paul Merton is to perform his only stand-up show this year at the Frome Festival, on July 13. Festival director Martin Bax called it ‘a phenomenal coup’ to sign him.