Kilkenomics – the world’s first festival of economics and comedy – uniquely brings together some of the world’s leading economists, journalists and analysts of finance, geo-politics and human behaviour with some of the very funniest, sharpest standup comedians. We’ve been called “Davos with jokes”...and worse!

What started as a way to make sense of the 2008 economic crash has turned into the Kilkenomics festival as we know it today. The aim of Kilkenomics has always been to take economics, finance and geo-politics out of the conference and the lecture theatre and create conversations that are accessible and relevant to people’s everyday lives.

Our informal, entertaining panels are, mostly, hosted by standup comedians who are there on behalf of the audience to decode, decipher and demolish the sometimes impenetrable language of economics, finance and geopolitics and add some levity while dealing intelligently with some very serious issues.

 

And then there are all the conversations that happen between people; between the events; amidst the medieval streets, lanes and slipways of magical Kilkenny city. Big ideas are formed; disagreements debated agreeably; and lifelong friendships made. 

 

"Kilkenomics is just what economics needs: an event bridging the gap between academic analysis and the ordinary people whose lives are turned upside down by economic mayhem." The Economist. 

 

"I've been to a lots of festivals and conferences, but Kilkenomics may be the best. More than that: it felt like democracy." Financial Times.