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Derry Girls star says Tommy Tiernan has 'patience of a saint'

Tommy Tiernan as Gerry and Tara Lynne O'Neill as Ma Mary in Derry Girls Photo: Channel 4
Tommy Tiernan as Gerry and Tara Lynne O'Neill as Ma Mary in Derry Girls Photo: Channel 4

Derry Girls star Tara Lynne O'Neill, who plays Ma Mary in the hit series, has said her on-screen husband Tommy Tiernan has "the patience of a saint".

In an interview in Saturday's Irish Times, O'Neill talked about being married on-screen to the comedian-turned-presenter.

"Well, what woman wouldn't want to be married to Tommy Tiernan?" she asked journalist Deirdre Falvey. 

"He's a joy," O'Neill continued. "Tommy's TV show is a real show of who Tommy is. He's really interested in people, curious. 

"I've learned a lot from him as an actor, as a comedian, and as a person. He's so giving. And he has the patience of a saint, to be fair now." 

When asked why Tiernan deserves that accolade, O'Neill replied: "Ah but, sure we all talk him to death!"

She said the friendships made by the Derry Girls stars "are for life", and reflected on how the show gave her goosebumps from her very first scene, which saw Mary and family hitting the road to avoid July 12 back home.

"Tommy's TV show is a real show of who Tommy is"

"We drove around the mountains all day, stopping when we couldn't film in the rain," O'Neill recounted.

"It was Tommy and I getting to know each other for eight hours. It was then I knew that this was going to be something special. Because obviously the lines are brilliant. But I knew, this is really special."

O'Neill and co will be back in front of the cameras when the third series of Derry Girls begins filming in July. 

As for the rumours of a big screen outing for the gang, she said: "I know nothing!"

You can read the full interview in The Irish Times.

The Tommy Tiernan Show continues on Saturday on RTÉ One at 9:45pm. Catch up on episodes on the RTÉ Player.

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