Top names in comedy head for Kilkenny

The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival kicks off in Kilkenny today.

The line-up this year includes comics from Ireland, Britain, the US, Canada, Iran and Australia.

Famous names on the bill of the five-day event include Paul Merton, Ed Byrne, Ardal O’Hanlon, Tommy Tiernan, Dara O’Briain, Des Bishop, Jason Byrne and PJ Gallagher.

Nightly comedy sessions are held in more than a dozen venues across the city.

The event was first held in 1995.

Famous faces who appeared in the past include Oscar-nominated actor and comedian Bill Murray.