COMEDIANS FROM around the world have descended on Kilkenny for the 14th annual Cat Laughs comedy festival.
More than 70 funny men and women will entertain up to 30,000 comedy fans in 13 venues across the Marble City over the next four days.
An "edgy" hardcore of comics have vowed to divulge their "darkest" and most "filthy" of jokes, previously thought unspeakable, at the festival's newest attraction, The Dark Show, on Saturday and Sunday night.
"Don't go if you're easily offended," said Lynn Cahill, festival producer. "We haven't a clue what they're going to come out with."
According to Cahill, tickets for this year's shows are selling out fast."We're delighted that Tommy Tiernan is to do an extra show on Sunday night with Australian duo The Umbilical Brothers, which is going to be absolutely crazy."
This year's festival features leading Irish comedians Des Bishop, Tommy Tiernan, Jason Byrne and Ardal O'Hanlon.
Overseas performers include Rich Hall and Reginald D Hunter from the US, Shappi Khorsandi and Lee Mack from Britain, and Scotland's Craig Hill.