LIVERPOOL’S celtic roots will be celebrated in music, dance, poetry and food at this year’s Irish Festival.

The Celtic Tenors, world-famous accordionist Sharon Shannon and writer Brian Keenan are among those performing at the 17-day event, sponsored by Guinness.

Shannon, who has toured with Bono, Sinead O’Connor, Mark Knopfler and Shane MacGowan as well as other big names, will bring her big band to the Philharmonic Hall on October 20. The Celtic Tenors will appear at the same venue, accompanied by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

At the heart of the festival will be the traditional music and singing sessions at venues around the city, lead featuring local musicians as well as those from Manchester and Leeds. Local historians Grey Quiery and Dr Ian McKeane will be conducting a series of city centre tours, pointing out Liverpool Irish links, starting at St Luke’s Gardens.

Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes, described as “a reincarnation of Paganini”, will be performing with Chicago-born guitarist and his long time musical partner Dennis Cahill in St George’s Hall’s Small Concert Room.

Sport will feature strongly too, with a Gaelic football exhibition match being held in Greenbank Park, South Liverpool, and the LFC Irish Legends Night with John Aldridge, Ronnie Whelin and Jim Beglin at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Picturehouse at FACT is screening a selection of Irish films, including The Wren’s Nest, a series of shorts in Gaelic with subtitles about exploring the beauty of poetry.

THE Guinness Liverpool Irish Festival runs Oct 16 to Nov 1. Further details at www.liverpoolirishfestival.com