Jean Farrell has taken a leap that so many others would find terrifying. At the age of 66, the retired school teacher from Athlone has become a stand-up comedian.
Speaking with Dave Fanning on The Ryan Tubridy Show, Jean said that during her childhood in Athlone 'self esteem had not been invented yet…'
Jean became a teacher and a mother in the 1970's and started exploring her creative side, opting to write under a pseudonym because, as she admits, she was worried people would think 'Who does that one think she is? She's awful stupid'.
It wasn't until the 1990's that Jean got 'on her feet' with regard to comedy.
"I got involved in teaching teachers how to teach sex education to children. So if I was able to stand up in front of older nuns and Christian Brothers in 1996 and tell them they had to be teaching senior infants the words penis and vagina and sexual intercourse, then I could do anything"
A trip to see the legendary Joan Rivers further spurred on Jean's comedic goals. After writing down funny lines and ideas for years, Jean decided it was time to create her routine.
"I took out all my copybooks… Gave it much thought and in one weekend I wrote the play The Six Mary's and it's been extremely successful"
The Six Marys is a one-act play written and presented by Jean Farrell and is touring across Ireland. Listen back to The Ryan Tubridy Show with Dave Fanning, here.