Some of the behemoths of modern stand-up comedy will descend on Galway next week for the Bulmers Galway Comedy Festival. From Wednesday 26 to Monday 31 October, acts as diverse as Dylan Moran, The Rubberbandits and 4 Poofs and a Piano will get bums on seats and drinks coming out nostrils as they showcase their comic timing and skill on the mic.

If stand-up isn’t your thing, there is a Faulty Towers Dining Experience to feed and fool you and even a comedy club for kids.

In the same week that a Take That tribute act take to the Monroe’s Live stage, it seems almost karmic that their old rivals East 17 have been booked for a December show at the same venue. Three of the four original members Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell are joined by new vocalist Blair Dreelan and will perform the songs that made them famous like ‘Steam’, ‘It’s Alright’ and ‘Stay Another Day’.

Comedian Phil Nichol is a winner of the ‘If’ comedy award (formerly the Perrier) at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and former member of cult Canadian comedy trio Corky and the Juice Pigs. His is comedy at its most eye-popping, synapse-fizzing, moral majority baiting manic. Quiet simply, Phil is both delightfully shocking and hilarious at the same time.