We Irish are renowned for our sense of humour, often of the blackest kind; as the saying goes, 'We laugh to keep from crying'. This has never been more evident than in our famous comedy exports over the decades - and the good news is that the future is in safe hands, judging by the various rising stars on the Irish comedy scene.
Here are ten names that you really ought to keep an eye out for…
O'Sullivan has been knocking around the scene for the last few years and has already notched up several awards, but is now on the precipice of the big time, having recently won the Comedians' Choice Award for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Cork-born, London-based comic draws on his Irishness for his stand-up, but his lo-fi '‘80s video game’ series on social media is also discerningly hilarious.
Like many young comedians, Dubliner Galvo (also based in London) first cultivated an audience on TikTok, but has been tipped for greatness thanks to her quick wit and her willingness to poke fun at herself - as her debut show The Shite Feminist demonstrates. The 25-year-old is also well worth a follow for her perceptive parodies of figures from her own admittedly privileged background.
Many people with a stammer would baulk at the idea of pursuing a career that involves public speaking, but Aidan Greene not only embraces it but makes it a big part of his show. The Cavan native is also a very funny guy, as reviews for his Stop! Stammer Time show (which debuted at Edinburgh in 2024) attested to, while his forthcoming short film Stutterbug aims to change the narrative around stammering stereotypes.
If there’s one thing we love as a nation, it’s taking the mick out of ourselves (and each other). Another young Irish comic who has flown the nest and is doing great things ‘out foreign’ (i.e. in New York) is Dubliner Katie Boyle. Her brilliant stand-up explores both her Irish upbringing and her escapades in NYC, from dating American men to her adventures in therapy; she has already headlined venues across the US and Ireland, and is undoubtedly set for stardom.
You must have seen one of Aoife Dunne’s many hilarious viral videos over the last year or two. The Galway native’s ascent has been fairly rapid; as her debut show Good Grief explains, Dunne put her life and comedy career on hold after her mum’s death but now she’s making up for lost time with a sold out tour in 2025. 2026 is looking like an even bigger year for her, too - watch this space.
Not to be confused with the musician of the same name, this comedian has proven his mettle as an improviser in recent years; his show 7even, which explored the seven deadly sins in his inimitably chaotic manner won the Spirit of Wit award at this year’s Dublin Fringe festival, and his online sketches are top-quality, too.
There’s still something of a best-kept-secret quality to Tralee native Clifford, who forged his name via a combination of online and standup in recent years. He explores weighty topics like masculinity, childhood trauma and depression and manages to make it hilarious. His latest show, Shane of Fools, proves that he’s more than ready for the next step up.
Moylan has marked herself out as one to watch, thanks to her involvement in co-hosting MATE Comedy with her best friend Mikey Fleming. The Kilkenny native previously worked in theatre and draws on that experience for her versatile physical comedy - whether it’s representing her home county in camp cabaret Hoes of Tralee, performing a skit from The White Lotus at Cabaregg, or working with alt comedy collective Club Valentine. Also, she wrestles!
Grace Mulvey was a self-confessed late bloomer when it came to comedy, only fully committing to the artform at the age of 30. The London-based Dubliner has since been awarded the BBC’s Galton & Simpson bursary for comedy writing, and now has two podcasts (The Jump and Fad Camp) and a very promising future under her belt. Mulvey’s incisive wit on topics like her Irishness, millennial angst and the perils of thirtysomething life is excellent.
A self-described ‘superstar’ - according to her Insta bio, at least - don’t bet against Meg Reilly (aka Few Cans) making a wider impact in 2026. Self-belief is everything, as they say. The young Dubliner made her name on TikTok with numerous viral videos in recent years, but has transferred her comedy to the stage too, with new show The Drama Queen debuting in recent months.
Lauren Murphy is the host of culture podcast Get Around To It
