TO be sure, to be sure - a little bit of Ireland is coming to town!

The Irish theme has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with a swell in traditional style pubs, music and dancing.

O'Neills Irish theme pub in Blackpool is one of many Celtic-style public houses offering traditional tipples such as creamy Guinness and Caffreys - along with good old Gaelic cuisine - which are popping up all over Britain and the rest of the world thanks to the success of Dublin-based business The Irish Pub Company.

The company, which is the world's largest creator of Irish pub concepts, makes each pub uniquely different in design while creating an authentic atmosphere. Irish people have always been renowned for their excellent sense of humour, with such famous rib-ticklers as Jimmy Cricket, Frank Carson and Roy Walker all making regular appearances at Blackpool's theatres.

Joining this elite breed of funnymen is new up-and-coming talent Ardal O'Hanlon - famed for his hilarious role of Father Dougal Maguire in Channel 4's BAFTA award-winning comedy Father Ted - who is coming to the Grand Theatre for one night only on Sunday November 17 at 8pm.

Ardal, who was named Top Television Newcomer at the 1995 British Comedy Awards, offers his own blend of offbeat humour and Gaelic charm with confident polished material.

If a toe-tapping time is more up your street then you're in for a treat as the Spirit of the Dance visits the Grand for two nights at the end of the month.

Borne out of the shadow of the fantastically successful Riverdance, you can feast your eyes on this night of spectacular moves, with music provided by the Irish national Harp Orchestra, on November 26 and 27 at 7.30pm.

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