Menu Close
TICKETS
speakers & panelists
TICKETS

My Line in Politics – Harry Burton & the Art of the Political Cartoon

Kilkenny Animated Presents

My Line in Politics – Harry Burton & the Art of the Political Cartoon

HEADLINER

How do you turn the chaos of politics into a single image – and one that will make us laugh?

Join political cartoonist Harry Burton for a lively, insightful and comic exploration of the art of political cartooning. In this live drawing event, Harry will pull back the curtain on his creative process, revealing how ideas evolve from headline to sketch to finished cartoon, all while drawing before the audience.

Expect sharp observations, behind-the-scenes stories from the world of journalism and politics, as Harry demonstrates how humour, satire and visual storytelling can capture the mood of a nation in just a few pen strokes. Assisting him throughout the evening is the incomparable Paul Young of Cartoon Saloon, whose glamorous support will ensure proceedings remain suitably unpredictable.

A regular contributor to the Irish Examiner and other publications, Harry Burton has spent years documenting Ireland’s political landscape with wit, intelligence and an artist’s eye for the absurd.

Part live drawing show, part political satire, part peek inside a cartoonist’s sketchbook. This is politics as you’ve never seen it before.

Location

Home Rule Club

Date & Time

12th September 2026 | 11:45- 12:45

Target Audience

Ages 12+

Cost

€10.00

Book Event
Cartoon showing human evolution in reverse: a caveman evolves into a suited man with a long red tie, who is crawling like an ape. Text above reads, "Back to the Stone Age...
A man sits under a tree pondering how to help Ireland’s housing crisis; in the next panel, a giant Apple logo falls on him, referencing Isaac Newton and Apple’s influence.
Two suited men holding up another with "Vote No.1" badges, celebrating. Next panel: two frightened children under a burning globe. Text reads "Heavy Lifting." Image by Herald Sun, dated 15-06-24.
Two men sit between Irish and U.S. flags. An elephant wearing an "IDF" helmet aims U.S.-made missiles at the Irish man. Missiles bear a "Made in USA" label. A trampled shamrock lies on the floor.
Cartoon of two women labelled “Health,” one struggling with a football and falling, the other easily kicking the ball and walking away confidently.
A suited man in a hard hat holds a "NEW GAZA" banner, with others behind him. He says, "Thousands of homes, educational centres, medical facilities..." A child amidst rubble replies, "We had all those.
A woman in a headscarf holds a limp child with a visible spine and a Palestinian flag on their back. Text below reads, "A CHILD'S BACKBONE...WHERE'S OURS?".
Three people in small boats struggle against a giant wave; two seem angry or scared, one has fallen and lost a briefcase. The scene is chaotic, and the water appears turbulent and overwhelming.
A weather presenter in a pink dress stands in floodwater, pointing at a map of Ireland showing rain clouds across the country.

Meet the contributors

A regular contributor to the Irish Examiner and other publications, Harry Burton has spent years documenting Ireland’s political landscape with wit, intelligence and an artist’s eye for the absurd.

A smiling person wearing a backwards cap and red shirt draws on paper at a desk, perhaps inspired by the creativity of Kilkenny Animated Festival, with a computer and shelves in the background.
Harry Burton
A person with a grey beard, wearing large black glasses, a black hat with a tiara, and a black dinner jacket with a bow tie, smiles at the camera. A colourful border frames the image, capturing the festive spirit of the Kilkenny Animated Festival.
Paul Young

This event is kindly sponsored by

Logo with the text "Cultural & Creative Industries" and "Skillnet." The word "net" is inside a green circle. The design uses dark blue and green colours with modern, clean typefaces.