The Irish people have always been regarded as having great humour so it’s no surprise that some of the best Irish comedians are often regarded as some of the top in the world.
Ireland has always produced a wide variety of talented comedians throughout the years with many marking their presence successfully felt internationally as well. Irish humour, in particular, seems to stand out as it can be dry, sarcastic and full of wit.
In this article, we will list what we believe to be the top ten best Irish comedians of all time, stretching from O’Briain to Higgins, and Tiernan to Norton. Who would you have on your list?
- The Irish people have always been regarded as having great humour so it’s no surprise that some of the best Irish comedians are often regarded as some of the top in the world.
- Meanwhile in Ireland’s top facts about the best Irish comedians of all time
- 10. Maeve Higgins – made her presence felt internationally
- 9. Dermot Morgan – famous for his hilarious portrayal of Father Ted
- 8. PJ Gallagher – a hilarious and unpredictable comedian
- 7. Tara Flynn – a talented upcomer on the comedy scene
- 6. Des Bishop – a fan favorite Irish standup comedian
- 5. Graham Norton – has the gift of the gab
- 4. Dara Ó Briain – one of the wittiest Irish comedians
- 3. David O’Doherty – a Irish comedy legend
- 2. Dylan Moran – one of the very best Irish comedians
- 1. Tommy Tiernan – the king of Irish comedy
- Your questions answered about the best Irish comedians of all time
Meanwhile in Ireland’s top facts about the best Irish comedians of all time
Here are five fun facts about the best Irish comedians of all time before you start:
- Graham Norton started off as a stand-up comedian and actor before he hit the big time with The Graham Norton Show. Remember him in Father Ted?
- Tommy Tiernan is one of Ireland’s most recognisable TV figures today, and is known for his spontaneous style where he engages in unscripted interactions often with his audience.
- Dylan Moran, one of the best Irish comedians of all time, has achieved fame worldwide for his part in the “Black Books” TV series.
- Before embarking on a comedy career, Dara Ó Briain, who hosted Have I Got News For You, has a degree in mathematics and theoretical physics from University College, Dublin.
- Maeve Higgins, a top Irish comedian, is also a publish author and host of the podcast “Maeve in America”.
10. Maeve Higgins – made her presence felt internationally
Maeve Higgins first took to the stage in 2005 and has since established herself as an Irish comedy favourite. She currently lives in New York City and includes the comedian Amy Schumer amongst her friends.
From participating in comedy festivals worldwide to hosting a radio show on Today FM and starring in the brilliant Naked Camera show on RTE, Maeve Higgins has established herself as a familiar face in the Irish comedy scene.
9. Dermot Morgan – famous for his hilarious portrayal of Father Ted
Dermot Morgan is best known for his iconic portrayal of Father Ted Crilly in the hilarious sitcom. He was previously a schoolteacher before he got into the comedy world and made a name for himself.
He sadly passed away the day after filming the last episode of Father Ted but his memory will forever live on in the timeless classic that is the show Father Ted.
Related: Find out where Father Ted ranks on our list of the 10 funniest Irish TV shows you need to watch
8. PJ Gallagher – a hilarious and unpredictable comedian
PJ Gallagher rose to fame thanks to his involvement in the beloved Naked Camera series alongside the aforementioned Maeve Higgins.
Besides being a great stand-up comedian, he has also made the transition into acting and has starred in the hilariously funny “The Young Offenders” tv series.
7. Tara Flynn – a talented upcomer on the comedy scene
Tara Flynn has recently emerged as a comedian to watch for the future thanks to some of her latest performances.
Besides being a comedian, she is also a writer and actress and even hosts a podcast which she uses to discuss anything from observations and anecdotes to political issues whilst injecting a healthy dose of humour too.
6. Des Bishop – a fan favorite Irish standup comedian
Des Bishop has been on the Irish comedy scene for a long time, a career that stretches as far back as the 1990s.
Originally from the US, Des moved to Ireland when he was 14 and soon started to develop funny observations and commentaries on Ireland and the Irish people which gave him plenty of material for his stand-up and continues to do so to even today.
See where Des Bishop ranks on this list of the best Irish comedians of all time.
5. Graham Norton – has the gift of the gab
Graham Norton is a much-loved comedian in not only Ireland but also in the UK where he is now based. His comedy chat show “The Graham Norton Show” has won five BAFTAs.
4. Dara Ó Briain – one of the wittiest Irish comedians
While Dara Ó Briain’s stand-up shows are brilliant it was his work in comedy panels such as Don’t Feed the Gondolas and The Panel which saw him ascend the comedy ladder in Ireland. He is now a regular favourite at comedy festivals.
Read: Dara Ó Briain is far up on our list of the top 5 Irish comedians you can’t miss
3. David O’Doherty – a Irish comedy legend
David O’Doherty is a Bona fide Irish comedy legend who first appeared onto the comedy scene in Dublin’s Comedy Cellar in 1998. He has since used his skills for showmanship to hilarious effect as a stand-up comedian.
2. Dylan Moran – one of the very best Irish comedians
Not only a talented comedian and writer but Dylan Moran also acted in his tv series Black Books and has comedy movie credits such as Run Fatboy Run and the cult hit Shaun of the Dead.
He still regularly does stand up at many comedy festivals and is regarded as one of the leading comedians of the comedy scene today.
1. Tommy Tiernan – the king of Irish comedy
Number one on our list of the top ten best Irish comedians of all time is the king of Irish comedy himself, Tommy Tiernan!
Not only is he Ireland’s most critically acclaimed comedian but he is also a writer, presenter and actor. He does stand up regularly and he even hosts his chat show “The Tommy Tiernan Show” on RTÉ One.
That concludes our list of what we believe to be the top ten best Irish comedians of all time. Did your favourite Irish comedian make the list?
Your questions answered about the best Irish comedians of all time
Still have some queries outstanding after reading this? Not to worry, for we have you covered! In this section, we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions both to us and from online about the best Irish comedians of all time.
Who was the Irish comedian in the 70s?
Dave Allen was a very successful Irish comedian from the 1970s. He was famed for telling personal tales whilst drinking whiskey as he sat on a stool in front of his live audiences.
Who is the Irish impressionist comedian?
Oliver Callan is an award-winning impressionist who is also one of Ireland’s most popular comedians.
What is the Irish comedy on BBC?
The Young Offenders starred on BBC3, which is one of the best Irish comedy shows made of all time.
What is the most watched show in Ireland?
As per figures from February 2023, The Late Late Show is the most watched show in Ireland, garnering 1,532,000 viewers.
