Global Talent Directory

Comedians from Ireland

The comedian directory for Ireland: profiles, bios, photos and social links.

28 comedians

Andrew Maxwell

Andrew Maxwell is an Irish comedian and narrator, originating from Dublin, Ireland. His comedy journey began in 1992 when he first tried stand-up comedy at the Comedy Cellar in Dublin. He quickly gained momentum, appearing regularly on BBC Two’s Sunday Show from 1995 and subsequently securing a role as a United States correspondent for RI:SE. These early appearances helped establish him within the British and Irish comedy circuits. Maxwell's career encompasses a wide range of television work. From 2003 to 2011, he was a regular guest on RTÉ One’s The Panel, demonstrating his ability for topical commentary. He also made frequent appearances on popular British shows like Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week, solidifying his presence in mainstream comedy. In 2006, he participated in Amnesty / Channel Four’s Secret Policeman's Ball. A Funny Cuts special, 'Andrew Maxwell – My Name Up In Lights,' was released that same year. He won Channel 4’s reality show Kings of Comedy in 2004 and was nominated for the if.comedy award in 2007. His versatility is further showcased through his narration work, notably for MTV's Ex on the Beach since 2014, covering ten seasons to date. Beyond television, Maxwell has built a reputation as a dynamic live performer. He hosts a weekly late-night comedy gig called Fullmooners, which began in London and now tours festivals, featuring comedians such as Russell Brand, Simon Pegg, Tommy Tiernan, and Ed Byrne. Additionally, Andrew Maxwell presents a BBC Radio 4 program titled Welcome to Wherever You Are and is a regular panelist on The News Quiz, occasionally serving as its guest host. Maxwell has had many sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has appeared at Glastonbury, Kilkenny’s Cat Laughs, The HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Las Vegas, and the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. Andrew Maxwell co-established ALTITUDE, an alpine comedy festival. Maxwell has produced three stand-up comedy shows: "Conflict Revolution," “Andrew Maxwell: Live In Dublin,” and “Maxwell: One Inch Punch.” Furthermore, he frequently entertains at corporate and private functions, collaborating with organizations including BSKYB, Tourism Ireland, and Publicis, and has participated in promotional initiatives for 888Sport, Paddy Power, Aer Lingus, and Guinness. In 2019, he participated in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, volunteering to clean the toilet daily.

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Chris O'Dowd

Chris O'Dowd, born on October 9, 1979, is an Irish actor and comedian. He was born and raised in Boyle, County Roscommon, to Seán, a sign designer, and Denise, a counsellor and psychotherapist. His early life included playing Gaelic football, even representing Roscommon in the 1997 Connacht Minor Football Championship final. Having finished his education focusing on politics alongside sociology at University College Dublin (UCD), eighteen months were dedicated to training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. This Irish performer embodies numerous positions, functioning as an actor, comedian, writer, director, plus executive producer. O’Dowd gained recognition for his role as Roy Trenneman in 'The IT Crowd' from 2006 to 2010. His comedic talents were further showcased through appearances in films like 'Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel' (2009), 'Gulliver's Travels' (2010), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), and 'Friends with Kids' (2011). He received an Irish Film & TV Award for 'Best Supporting Actor – Film' for his work in 'Bridesmaids'. He also won a Scottish BAFTA award for his role as Tommy O’Dwyer in the film 'Festival' (2005) and a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in 'State of the Union'. He has appeared in other films including 'Dinner For Schmucks,' 'This is 40,' 'Thor: The Dark World,' 'St. Vincent,' and 'Cuban Fury', and had a recurring role on the series 'Girls' and appeared in Christopher Guest’s 'Family Tree'. A significant achievement in O’Dowd’s career is the creation and starring role in the TV series 'Moone Boy' (2012-2015), co-created with Nick Vincent Murphy. This series, which ran for three series on Sky One, earned him Irish Film and Television Award nominations and an Emmy Award. He executive produced all 18 episodes of 'Moone Boy', directed six episodes, and portrayed Seán Murphy. 'Moone Boy' also spawned a series of books written by O’Dowd and Murphy. He has his own production outfit called Hot Cod Productions and served as executive producer on the Sky series 'Small Town Big Story,' which he created, wrote three episodes of, directed, and starred in; Playground Entertainment and FilmNation co-produced this project. Currently, he is filming 'Slumberland' for Netflix and reuniting with Ted Melfi and Melissa McCarthy for 'The Starling', set for release on Netflix. He has also appeared in two shows on London’s West End including 'Constellations' (2021) and received a Drama Desk Award nomination, a Distinguished Performance Award, and a Theatre World Award for his performance in 'Of Mice and Men' (2014) on Broadway.

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Dara Ó Briain

Dara Ó Briain is an Irish comedian and television presenter currently based in the United Kingdom. Born on February 4, 1972, in Bray, County Wicklow, he was adopted and raised as an only child. He attended Coláiste Eoin secondary school and subsequently studied mathematics and theoretical physics at University College Dublin (UCD), where he also served as the auditor of the Literary and Historical Society and co-founded and co-edited The University Observer college newspaper. Alongside his studies, Ó Briain possessed considerable debating skills, culminating in a victory at the 1994 Irish Times National Debating Championship. Ó Briain's command of the Irish language is notable; he speaks only Irish with his father, a practice that underscores his family’s background, which includes a grandmother who joined the Irish Republican Army as a teenager. Ó Briain’s career began around 1994, encompassing both stand-up comedy and television work. Following graduation, he worked as a children's TV presenter at RTÉ. From 1998 to 2000, Ó Briain presented the panel show *Don’t Feed the Gondolas*, and he also hosted *It's a Family Affair* on RTÉ Television. His stand-up comedy quickly gained momentum, leading to extensive tours across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Notably, in 2005, his eighth show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe became the biggest-selling solo comedy show. He continued touring extensively, including a UK and Ireland tour in early 2006, and subsequent tours in 2010, 2015, and 2018. His 2012 tour, 'Craic Dealer,' was recorded for DVD. Within the United Kingdom, Dara Ó Briain is primarily recognized for hosting *Mock the Week*; his work on this program resulted in a BAFTA TV Award nomination in 2012. He has also hosted numerous other television programs, including Blockbusters , Robot Wars , Stargazing Live , Dara and Ed’s Great Big Adventure , and Dara Ó Briain’s Go 8Bit . He is a recognizable face on British and Irish television and previously hosted RTÉ 2’s The Panel , which was produced by Happy Endings Productions, a company he co-founded. The Panel received two IFTA nominations for Best Entertainment show. Ó Briain has also authored two books: *Tickling the English*, published in 2009, and *Beyond The Sky* in 2017, with the latter receiving a Blue Peter Book Award nomination. He is currently touring with his show 'So… Where Were We?', which won Best Tour at the 2023 Chortle Awards and continues to tour globally, with dates scheduled for Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, and Singapore in 2026.

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Des Bishop

Desmond Ryan Bishop, known professionally as Des Bishop, is an American-Irish comedian. Born in London on November 12, 1975, he spent his early years in New York before relocating to Ireland at age 14. He attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York, and later St Peter's College in Wexford, Ireland, when he was 16. Having retaken the Leaving Certificate at Blackrock College in Dublin, he subsequently obtained a degree encompassing English and history from University College Cork. His upbringing reflects a blend of cultures; his mother is Irish American, and his father, who later held a steady job, initially worked as a model and actor. Bishop’s early life included challenges, beginning to drink at age 12 and being expelled from school at 14, before being sent to boarding school in Ireland. Bishop initiated his career as a comedian in Ireland during the late 1990s, developing his performances at the International Comedy Cellar. He has since built a comedy career in Ireland, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and releasing several recorded performances, including Des Bishop – Live at Vicar Street (2003) and Des Bishop - Of All People (2024). His work extends beyond traditional stand-up; he is known for innovative television shows like The Des Bishop Work Experience (2004), where he took minimum wage jobs across Ireland, and In the Name of the Fada (2008), which documented his efforts to learn Irish and perform stand-up in the language. He also hosted Joy in the Hood (2006), mentoring local people in stand-up comedy. Bishop’s experiences have shaped his comedic material, including his diagnosis with testicular cancer in 2000; he incorporates this into his performances. Bishop's career includes appearances in film, such as playing a high stockbroker in the 2002 movie In America . He also participated in Dancing with the Stars Ireland in 2017. Additionally, he has explored performing internationally, speaking fluent Mandarin Chinese and performing in China under the stage name Bi Hansheng, living there for a year. In 2011, he released My Dad Was Nearly James Bond , a book inspired by his father’s death from lung cancer that February. Following the loss of his mother Eileen in March 2019, he created 'Mia Mamma'. Since around 2014, Bishop has been working to develop an American career, shooting specials like 'Bridge & Tunnel' and 'Of All People' at the Comedy Cellar. As of June 2026, he is 50 years old, and currently engaged to Hannah Berner, whom he married in May 2022.

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Ed Byrne

Ed Cathal Byrne is an Irish performer who works as both an actor and a comedian. He served as host for the British series Just for Laughs and Uncut! Best Unseen Ads, has taken part as a guest on a wide array of television panel quizzes, and has shown up on multiple TV cooking programmes.

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Frank Carson

Hugh Francis Carson KSG, a comedian and actor from Belfast, Northern Ireland, became a familiar television presence beginning in the 1970s, appearing in programmes such as The Comedians and Tiswas. He was noted for his catch‑phrase, “It’s the way I tell them!” and was a member of the entertainment charity Grand Order of Water Rats.

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Graham Linehan

An Irish comedy writer and director, Graham Linehan was born in Dublin in May of 1968. He attended Catholic University School and began his career as a journalist, working for the magazine Hot Press in the 1980s. Early on, he also demonstrated versatility as an actor and comedian. Linehan's initial foray into television writing involved collaborations with Arthur Mathews; together, they contributed segments to shows such as Alas Smith and Jones , Harry Enfield and Chums , and The All New Alexei Sayle Show . They also wrote for sketch shows like The Fast Show , and specifically developed the Ted and Ralph characters. Linehan and Mathews are best known for co-creating several highly successful television series. Father Ted , launched in 1995, became a major success and garnered numerous awards, including two BAFTAs for best comedy. They subsequently co-created Big Train (1998–2002), with Linehan also directing the first series. His writing credits extend to shows like The Day Today and Brass Eye , and he co-created Black Books (2000–2004) alongside Dylan Moran, co-directing episodes with Nick Wood. In 2003, he directed the pilot episode of Little Britain . He created, wrote, and directed The IT Crowd (2006–2013), which earned considerable acclaim, including a BAFTA TV Award for ‘Best Situation Comedy’ in 2009, as well as awards at the British Comedy Awards and the Irish Film and Television Awards. Beyond television, Linehan has also explored other creative avenues. He adapted The Ladykillers for the stage in 2011, premiering it at The Liverpool Playhouse before its run at The Gielgud Theatre in London. Working with Sneezing Tree Films, Linehan directed many advertising campaigns and commercials that included Martin Freeman. In October 2023, he published a memoir, Tough Crowd: How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy , which reached number ten on the Sunday Times bestseller list. Linehan is also known as a campaigner; however, recent events have significantly impacted his career. In September 2025, he was arrested at Heathrow Airport for allegedly inciting hatred, an incident that resulted in a £25,000 settlement from the Metropolitan Police and required hospitalization due to health concerns. He now resides in Arizona and has announced plans to work on a sitcom there, moving in December 2024.

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Jarlath Regan

Born in 1980, Jarlath Regan is an Irish comedian who works in stand-up, television, and podcasting. He began performing stand-up comedy in 2003 at age 24, following a period working as an advertising account executive. While attending University College Dublin, he served as auditor of the Literary and Historical Society. During the start of his professional comedy journey, Regan made it to the final round of several prestigious BBC and Channel 4 comedy competitions in 2004, including being a finalist for three awards recognizing new comedic talent: So You Think You're Funny, BBC New Comedy Awards, and Chortle Student Comedian of the Year. Regan’s comedy style is observational, incorporating jokes, stories, and tales about relatable experiences. He has performed at numerous comedy festivals including Edinburgh, Montreal, Chicago, Melbourne, New Zealand, and Dubai. Regan participated in the inaugural Irish showcase at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, Canada, in 2006. His 2007 Edinburgh Fringe show was titled 'Nobody Knows... Jarlath Regan'. He has appeared on television shows like NBC's Last Comic Standing, BBC’s Tonight At The Palladium, Comedy Central’s The World Stands Up, and ITV’s ‘Live At London Palladium’. Critics have praised his performances, with the Metro rating one show ★★★★ and The Post giving another ★★★★★. His show 'Notion's Eleven', recorded in Vicar Street, was released online in late 2020, and he creates comedy clips for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. In 2013, Regan moved to London to perform stand-up and launched the An Irishman Abroad podcast. Receiving the 'Best New Audio Podcast' award from the iTunes Store in 2013, this podcast, which presents conversations with Irish emigrants and those with Irish ancestry, has attracted a global audience exceeding one million listeners. It has featured guests like Dara Ó Briain, Jason Byrne, Sonia O’Sullivan, Jack Reynor, and Paul Mescal. The podcast has received positive reviews from The Guardian, Telegraph, and Irish Times, with The Guardian suggesting weekly downloads. He has since launched justice-themed, basketball-themed, and US politics-themed spin-off series. The podcast transitioned to Patreon’s platform in August 2020. Regan also created a parenting podcast, 'Honey! You Are Ruining Our Kid!', with his wife Tina in September 2022. Regan is recognized as a highly sought-after Irish touring comedian who performs worldwide; he completed six consecutive sold-out performances in Boston in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and will present a new show there in 2027.

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Jennifer Maguire

Jennifer Zamparelli is an Irish stand‑up comic who also works as a television and radio presenter. She first came to public attention on the programme Republic of Telly, serving as one of its main writers, and later co‑hosted the 2FM morning show Breakfast Republic alongside Bernard O'Shea and Keith Walsh. She also appears in the sitcom Bridget & Eamon.

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Michael Twomey

Michael F. Twomey, an Irish actor, comedian, director, producer and writer, teamed up with Frank Duggan to launch the celebrated double act Cha and Miah. Their collaboration endured from 1969 until they retired in 2012.

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Patrick Monahan

Patrick Monahan, an Irish‑Iranian comic, took first place in the TV contests Take the Mike in 2001 and Show Me the Funny in 2011, and he turns up often on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe stage.

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PJ Gallagher

P. J. Gallagher is an Irish stand‑up comic, actor and radio host who also helped create the TV series Naked Camera. In that programme he appears as a deranged cab driver, the womanising Jake Stevens and the “Dirty Auld One,” an elderly woman who makes lewd remarks. He is a devoted Leeds United fan and currently co‑hosts the breakfast slot on Radio Nova with the award‑winning presenter Jim McCabe.

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