To celebrate the release of new Irish film Calvary, JOE has compiled a list of five of the greatest Irish comedians…
Following on from their wickedly-funny work together on The Guard, director John Michael McDonagh has again cast Brendan Gleeson in the lead role of Calvary, this time as a good priest tormented by his small-town community, a group of people who seem intent on making his life a living hell.
The blackly comic drama features a very talented cast including Gleeson Jnr Domhnall, Chris O’Dowd, Aidan Gillen, Pat Shortt, Dylan Moran, Killian Scott and the gorgeous Kelly Reilly.
Dylan Moran
Dylan Moran is one of the best comedians in the world. Hailing from the comedic hotspot that is Navan (Tommy Tiernan is from there too), he has made us laugh for a long time now. Renowned as one of the best comedians of his generation he is also an esteemed actor featuring in some classic films and, of course, the cult classic comedy TV series, Black Books. Here he is talking about Germany in his own inimitable style:
His stand-up routines are the stuff of legend and his grumpy demeanour coupled with a mastery of bizarre, almost surreal anecdotes make him one of the hottest properties in stand-up comedy anywhere in the world today. When asked about his stand-up he replied “I think anger’s funny, you know you always feel a bit giggly if someone’s cross. It’s like church laughter, if someone’s very very angry, because you know you’re not supposed to laugh.”
Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan has become something of a national institution. One of the best comedians anywhere for such a prolonged time is not easy, but he manages it with consummate ease. In the great tradition of Irish storytellers he has few peers when it comes to spinning a yarn. Nobody taps into the Irish psyche as impressively as Tommy. With the devil-may-care attitude and the mischievous glint in his eyes, he is one of the most sought after comedians in the world. Here he is talking about the Irish and the economy:
He is seen by some as controversial, but it is his bravery and his willingness to address issues others fear that stands him out from the crowd. You know you are in for at least an hour of full-blown entertainment when you attend a Tommy Tiernan gig and his live performances are so epic that he ensures that wherever he plays, it’s sure to be a full house. He was never afraid to question the church and it’s teachings either, such as: ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself. What if you suffer from really low self-esteem. Leaning over the hedge “F**k you!!”.
David O’Doherty
Another Irish winner of the prestigious Perrier award for best comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe, David O’Doherty is fast becoming one of our best exports. His whimsical, surreal take on life is the stuff of pure joy and the catchy songs he relentlessly churns out on his Casio keyboard are more often than not, the catchiest tunes you will have heard in a while and are guaranteed to stay with you days. This is from back in 2007, but it’s a brilliant taster of what he’s all about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzvZnb5fXoo
Some people baulk at the thoughts of musical comedy, but O’Doherty does it with such style and humour, that you are hoping he does more, rather than less, singing. He has become one of the biggest acts to see at the Edinburgh Fringe and his shows are amongst the first to sell out every August.
Jason Byrne
Jason Byrne finished second to Tommy Tiernan back in 1996 at the So You Think You’re Funny competition. This is the most prestigious award for new acts and it announced both to the world of stand-up. Jason Byrne is like no other live act out there. His manic on-stage persona allied with stories of his youth, his present day life and anything in between is given such madness and commitment, you are often left breathless by the sheer velocity of gags and stories. He is regarded by some as the best live act on the scene today and the thing about a Jason Byrne live show is that you just never know what is going to happen. This piece of standup captures his madness and sense of fun perfectly:
Sure he has an idea, a script in his head, but often that’s tossed aside because there is more fun to be had with the audience. He’ll often go into the audience to get information from them and this is where his true genius lies. He involves the audience in his shows, he gets them up on stage and they become an essential prop for his mad-cap comedy. Although the thought of being brought on stage by a comedian would fill most people with absolute dread, it’s his warm, almost childlike sense of fun leaves everyone knowing that this is a man at the height of his powers who is there primarily to entertain, to engage and to make people laugh. He holds the all-time record for selling the most tickets at the Edinburgh Fringe which is an astonishing feat when you realise just how competitive the Fringe is.
Dara O’Briain
One of the most recognisable faces on television today with a plethora of TV credits to his name, Dara O’Briain is certainly one of the best and most successful Irish comedians working today. He was the host of cult Irish show, The Panel and in the UK he has worked on such shows as Mock The Week and The Apprentice You’re Fired. A highly intelligent man (he studied mathematics and theoretical physics), he has earned the reputation of being a smart comedian. That’s not to say he is not funny of course. He combines a razor sharp wit with some sublime anecdotes. This is a great piece about parenting as an atheist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akExo7kVsUU
Dara O’Briain is without doubt one of the most successful exports we have to the UK and his career continues to grow from strength to strength.
Calvary is released in Irish cinemas on Friday 11 April 2014. You can watch the trailer here:
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