Galway Comedy Festival goes on the road

Expect gales of laughter across County Galway on the October Bank Holiday as Ireland’s biggest comedy festival expands beyond the city.

In a bold new step, Galway Comedy Festival will spread its characteristic mirth, mischief, and mayhem wider than ever before, delivering big-name comedians to Connemara, Tuam, Oranmore, and Headford.

Dylan Moran's show in Campbell’s Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford sold out within an hour - showing the appetite there is for stand-up comedy in the county - but there are plenty of other shows to check out and enjoy.

One of the most anticipated is The Stars of Father Ted, in Keane's, Oranmore on Tuesday, October 22. The show will feature three Irish comedy legends: Joe Rooney (who played gurrier priest Fr Damo, determined to lead Dougal astray), Patrick McDonnell (who appeared as the Daniel O’Donnell-esque country singer, Eoin McLove), and Kevin Gildea (as Fr Cave he was willing to give up his last parachute for Fr Gallagher). Tickets are selling fast so don’t delay in getting yours. Go on, go on, go on, go on!

Rich Hall, the grouchy singing cowboy from Montana, and the inspiration for The Simpsons Moe Szyslak, will play The Mall Theatre, Tuam, on Tuesday, October 22. Winner of both the Perrier Award (Edinburgh Comedy Festival) and the Barry Award, a Rich Hall set is part stories, part improvised country songs, or, as The Mail On Sunday put it: “One hour of stonking stand-up and another of stomping hoedown mayhem. That’s two top gigs in one."

Galway Comedy Festival is committed to staging shows in our native language and providing a platform for comedians who can work as Gaeilge. Hence the annual Gáire as Gaeilge, MC’d by the great Hector Ó hEochagáin.

For the first time, the show will take place outside the city, bringing its rí-rá agus ruaille buaille to Cois Cuain, An Spidéal, on Tuesday, October 22, and featuring stand-up sets from Aideen McQueen and Eddie Mullarkey. Gaire as Gaeilge shows continue throughout the week in The Crane Bar and feature festival headliners including Al Porter and Bernard Casey.

The best and biggest laughs the county has had in ages awaits at Galway Comedy Festival 2024.

For more information and booking, see www.GalwayComedyFestival.ie.