Globally renowned for their quick wit and unique sense of humour, the Irish have a special knack for seeing the funny side of life. Here are the ten best Irish stand-up comedians you should know about.
Ireland has a rich culture of storytelling intertwined with a dark and tumultuous history that has created the perfect breeding ground for top-class comedy in Ireland. Keep reading to find out the names of the best Irish standup comedians who have made a major contribution to the laughter of the Irish people.
Here on the Emerald Isle, we have a penchant for looking on the bright side of things, especially when life gets tough, choosing to laugh instead of cry through the pain.
The country’s comedy scene is ever-changing, with a wide range of new comedians regularly appearing on the circuit. It can be difficult to keep up with what’s going on, so if you want to stay in the loop, we’ve got you.
Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up to give you a giggle after a hard day at work or want to witness a live comedy gig, these are the ten best Irish stand-up comedians you should know about in 2024.
- Globally renowned for their quick wit and unique sense of humour, the Irish have a special knack for seeing the funny side of life. Here are the ten best Irish stand-up comedians you should know about.
- Interesting facts about Irish stand-up comedians:
- 10. Patrick Kielty – the latest host of The Late Late Show
- 9. Joanne McNally – one-half of the My Therapist Ghosted Me team
- 8. Des Bishop – bringing together Irish and American standup comedy
- 7. PJ Gallagher – a much-loved Irish standup comedy hero
- 6. Dylan Moran – writer of the hit sitcom Black Books
- 5. Tommy Tiernan – an icon of Irish standup comedy
- 4. Aisling Bea – a hilarious Irish comedian and actress
- 3. Maeve Higgins – an Irish comedian based in New York
- 2. Dara O’Briain – one of the most iconic names in Irish comedy
- 1. Graham Norton – a hugely talented Irish comedian
- Notable mentions
- Your questions answered about Irish stand-up comedians
Interesting facts about Irish stand-up comedians:
- Two of Ireland’s best-loved comedians, Dermot Morgan and Ardal O’Hanlon, starred together in the classic Irish sitcom Father Ted.
- Ireland has produced several successful comedy shows, including Father Ted, Derry Girls, Mrs Brown’s Boys, and Young Offenders.
- The Comedy Cellar in Dublin is one of Ireland’s longest-established and most important comedy clubs.
- Galway Comedy Festival is one of the biggest comedy festivals in the country attracting thousands of visitors every year.
10. Patrick Kielty – the latest host of The Late Late Show
Having taken over from Ryan Tubridy to host RTÉ One’s The Late Late Show, there’s no denying that Patrick Kielty is one of the best Irish stand-up comedians.
Hailing from Northern Ireland, Kielty has displayed his talents on the Irish and UK media scene over the past 30 years with various presenting, stand-up, and radio gigs.
9. Joanne McNally – one-half of the My Therapist Ghosted Me team
A fantastic Irish comedian, writer, and podcast host hailing from Roscommon, Joanne McNally rose to prominence as the co-host of Republic of Telly for RTÉ.
More recently, she has gained a huge following for her podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, which she hosts alongside Vogue Williams. Hilarious and quick-witted, her stand-up gigs always draw huge crowds.
READ MORE: Our top ten favourite Irish people of the decade
8. Des Bishop – bringing together Irish and American standup comedy
Born and brought up in New York, Des Bishop moved to Ireland at the age of 14. He began his career as a comic in the late 1990s and has a successful track record of stand-up gigs.
Known for his unique and provocative style of comedy, Bishop has a restless imagination and perceptive voice that truly resonates with his audience.
7. PJ Gallagher – a much-loved Irish standup comedy hero
A hugely successful Irish standup comedian and actor, perhaps best known for his TV show Naked Camera, PJ Gallagher is one you can’t miss.
Born in County Cork, he has worked across both film and television and has a hugely successful stand-up career.
6. Dylan Moran – writer of the hit sitcom Black Books
A well-known name in the Irish comedy scene, Dylan Moran was the youngest-ever person to win the Perrier Comedy Award, aged just 24, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1996.
Movie fans may recognise him from appearances in hit movies like Run Fatboy Run and Shaun of the Dead. However, his primary work was the hit sitcom Black Books, which he co-wrote with Graham Linehan.
READ MORE: The ten funniest Irish videos on YouTube from the past ten years
5. Tommy Tiernan – an icon of Irish standup comedy
When it comes to Irish comedy, one name you’re certain to recognise is Tommy Tiernan. A well-known comedian, actor, and writer. Tiernan is recognised for his stand-up career, hosting the eponymously titled Tommy Tiernan Show and playing Gerry in the sitcom Derry Girls.
His 2024 UK tour, Tommedian, is highly anticipated, with extra dates added due to overwhelming demand. Boasting such an impressive resumé, there’s no denying Tommy Tiernan is one of the best Irish stand-up comedians in 2024.
4. Aisling Bea – a hilarious Irish comedian and actress
Born in County Kildare, Aisling Bea is a talented comedian and actress who created, wrote, and starred in the comedy channel four comedy series This Way Up.
As one of her greatest comedy achievements, Bea won the ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2012, being the second woman to win the award.
3. Maeve Higgins – an Irish comedian based in New York
A talented Irish comedian from the coastal town of Cobh in County Cork, Maeve Higgins was the main actor and writer on RTÉ’s Naked Camera.
As a writer and stand-up comedian, she is currently based in New York and performs primarily on the comedy circuit there.
2. Dara O’Briain – one of the most iconic names in Irish comedy
A talented comedian and TV presenter, Dara O’Briain is known for hosting various programmes across the UK and Ireland, including Mock the Week, Stargazing Live, and The Apprentice: You’re Fired!
He worked as a children’s TV presenter in his RTÉ career debut but rose to prominence as a team captain on the topical panel show Don’t Feed the Gondolas.
1. Graham Norton – a hugely talented Irish comedian
Perhaps best known for his hit BBC talk show, The Graham Norton Show, Graham Norton is certainly one of the best Irish stand-up comedians in 2024.
A comedian, actor, writer, and television host, Norton has enjoyed a successful career in both the UK and Irish comedy and media scene.
Notable mentions
Kevin Gildea: A talented Irish comedian known for Irish Pictorial Weekly, Alexei Sayle’s Merry-Go-Round, and No, No, No.
Barry Murphy: A founder of The Comedy Cellar in Dublin, Barry Murphy is a leading figure in Ireland’s comedy scene.
Eleanor Tiernan: An Irish comedian, writer, and actress, Eleanor Tiernan is certainly one to watch when it comes to talented Irish comedians.
Your questions answered about Irish stand-up comedians
Who is the most successful Irish comedian?
Graham Norton is regarded by many as the most successful Irish comedian.
Who was the most popular Irish comedian in 1990?
Dave Allen was one of the most popular Irish comedians in 1990.
Which Irish comedian has appeared on 8 Out Of 10 Cats?
Aisling Bea and David O’Doherty have both appeared on 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
