Good news, stand-up fans! One of the most awaited comedy festivals of the year has been announced, and the line up is exceptional.
The Paddy Power Comedy Festival (formerly known as the Vodafone Comedy Festival) returns to the Iveagh Gardens this July, running from Tuesday, 21st – Sunday, 24th, with over 90 artists performing across four stages: The Bleedin' Massive Stage, The Craic Den, The Only Joke Inn and The Free Gaff.
Without any further ado, let's take a look at the talent.
This year's homegrown acts include (deep breath) Tommy Tiernan, Dylan Moran, Deirdre O'Kane, Foil, Arms & Hog, Enya Martin, Kevin McAleer, The Dirtbirds, Kevin McGahern, Neil Delamare, Jason Byrne, Chris Kent, Alison Spittle, Karl Spain, and Northern Irish comedian Shane Todd.
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These comedic stars will perform alongside emerging Irish acts like Fiona Frawley, Shane Daniel Byrne, Sinead Quinlan and online comedy stars including Tony Cantwell, Emma Doran, Killian Sundermann, Justine Stafford, Sean Burke and Michael Fry.
Comedy fans will also have a chance to take in some international acts from further afield with performances from American comics Andrew Dismukes (Saturday Night Live), Sherry Cola, Patti Harrison (I Think You Should Leave) and Mary Beth Barone.
They will be joined by UK acts Fern Brady, musical act Flo & Joan, Helen Bauer and Dane Baptiste (The Stand Up Sketch Show) as well as acts from across the world including Sindhu Vee (Starstruck, Feel Good), Olga Koch, Abby Wambaugh plus Brodi Snook & Celya AB, who both won Chortle Best Newcomer in 2020 & 2022 respectively.
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Speaking ahead of the festival's launch party, Dublin comedian Enya Martin says that she can't wait to get back to performing to big crowds now that restrictions are a thing of the past.
"I'm headlining my own show so I'm delighted to be a part of it," she says. "For one of my shows during restrictions, only 30 people were allowed to come see me in a 300 seater venue. That's tough. The bar wasn't allowed to open either so you were really given small parameters to work with. But if anything it makes you stronger and it makes you appreciate the big crowds."
"There's a lot on at the moment with concerts and festivals so you really appreciate it when people come out," she continues. "This year is definitely going to have a great turn out, I think we all need a bit of cheering up after everything."
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During the pandemic comedians were forced off the stage, with many turning to online gigs, college or alternative jobs. Enya herself had a qualification in personal training that she put to use during the lockdowns. Now, she says, she and her fellow comics are more than ready for a live audience.
"I did one or two Zoom gigs and I said no. It's not the same as doing a live show. You feel like you're destroying your craft. It's not what you built for," she explains.
"It's great to see people back out and doing stand up again. They all address it, anytime they're on stage, how great it is to be back on stage. And everyone's had so much time to write new stuff and new material."
For full details of the Paddy Power Comedy Festival line-up, programme information and to buy tickets, go here.
