Famous Comedians from Ireland

List of notable or famous comedians from Ireland, with bios and photos, including the top comedians born in Ireland and even some popular comedians who immigrated to Ireland. If you're trying to find out the names of famous Irish comedians then this list is the perfect resource for you. These comedians are among the most prominent in their field, and information about each well-known comedian from Ireland is included when available.

List of famous Irish comics and stand up comedians range from Graham Norton to Chris O'Dowd.

This historic comedians from Ireland list can help answer the questions "Who are some Irish comedians of note?" and "Who are the most famous comedians from Ireland?" These prominent comedians of Ireland may or may not be currently alive, but what they all have in common is that they're all respected Irish comedians.

Use this list of renowned Irish comedians to discover some new comedians that you aren't familiar with. Don't forget to share this list by clicking one of the social media icons at the top or bottom of the page.ย 

  • Ardal O'Hanlon
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    Best known for his role as the lovably naive Father Dougal on the hit sitcom Father Ted, Ardal O'Hanlon is a brilliant Irish comedian with a penchant for quirky, offbeat humor. His absurdist comedic style has earned him fans worldwide and he continues to perform stand-up comedy, often incorporating surreal anecdotes into his routines.

    Ardal O'Hanlon (; born 8 October 1965) is an Irish comedian and actor. He played Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted, George Sunday/Thermoman in My Hero, and DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise.
    • Age: 57
    • Birthplace: Republic of Ireland, Carrickmacross
  • Brendan Courtney
    Photo: user uploaded image

    Brendan Courtney, although primarily recognized as a television presenter and fashion stylist, has also made a name for himself in Irish comedy. With his sharp wit and ability to connect with audiences, Brendan's talent for humor shines through in many of his public appearances, making him one of Ireland's favorite multifaceted personalities.

    Brendan Courtney (born 24 June 1973 in Dublin) is an Irish TV presenter, broadcaster & fashion designer. He has written many hit TV formats and made award-winning documentaries. His fashion label Lennon Courtney began in 2012, the first openly gay presenter in Ireland. He created and hosted Wanderlust on RTร‰ Two, Treasure Island RTE2, Holiday Home Detectives RTE1 The Brendan Courtney Show on TV3, Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV2, Blind Date on ITV2, Love Match on ITV1, Look of Love on ITV1, The Clothes Show on UKTV and Off the Rails on RTร‰ One. He is one half of design duo "Lennon Courtney" along with Sonya Lennon which is stocked in Dunnes Stores. He has most recently made the hit authored documentary titled "we need to talk about Dad" which aired on RTE1 in 2017 and looks set to change the law in Ireland. Other documentaries include "Living with Boy George" SKY TV and "Alias Ricky Grrvais" Bravo TV. Brendan and Sonya's partnership has extended to founding fashion discovery app "fafinder" hundreds of boutiques in one place.
    • Age: 50
    • Birthplace: Dublin, Clondalkin, Republic of Ireland
  • Brendan Grace
    Photo: flickr / CC0

    Fondly remembered as "Ireland's King of Comedy," Brendan Grace built a remarkable career through his unforgettable characters, quick wit, and hilarious storytelling. With timeless charm, he entertained audiences for over four decades, making him a beloved figure not only in Ireland but also around the world.

    Brendan Grace (1 April 1951 โ€“ 11 July 2019) was an Irish comedian and singer. He was best known for his comedy schoolboy character "Bottler Murphy" in the 1995 film Moondance, and his 1996 appearance in the Irish TV sitcom Father Ted as Father Fintan Stack. His 1975 song "The Combine Harvester" was a number one hit in Ireland.
    • Age: 72
    • Birthplace: Republic of Ireland, Dublin
  • Brendan O'Carroll
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    The creator and star of the hugely successful sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys, Brendan O'Carroll brings the character of Agnes Brown to life with a perfect blend of warmth and hilarity. Known for his irreverent humor and improvisational skills, O'Carroll continues to entertain millions with his audacious, unapologetically funny performances.

    Brendan O'Carroll is an Irish writer, producer, comedian, actor, and director. He is best known for portraying foul-mouthed matriarch Agnes Brown in the BBC television sitcom Mrs. Brown's Boys.
    • Age: 68
    • Birthplace: Republic of Ireland, Finglas
  • With his charming personality and deadpan comic delivery, Chris O'Dowd has effortlessly made a name for himself as one of Ireland's funniest exports. From his role in The IT Crowd to various film and television appearances, O'Dowd continually demonstrates a talent for both comedic and dramatic acting.

    Christopher O'Dowd (born 9 October 1979) is an Irish actor and comedian, best known for his television roles such as Miles Daly in the Epix comedy series Get Shorty and Roy Trenneman in the Channel 4 comedy The IT Crowd. O'Dowd created and starred in the Sky 1 television series Moone Boy, which aired between 2012 and 2015, earning O'Dowd Irish Film and Television Award nominations in acting, writing and directing. He had a recurring role on the comedy-drama series Girls. Thanks to his role in the British comedy TV series State of the Union, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. O'Dowd is also known for his film roles, including Bridesmaids (2011), This Is 40 (2012), The Sapphires (2012), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Calvary (2014), and St. Vincent (2014). He made his Broadway debut in the play adaptation of Of Mice and Men in 2014, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award.
    • Age: 43
    • Birthplace: Sligo, Ireland
  • A respected stand-up comedian and television presenter, Dara Ó Briain is well-known for his intelligent and engaging brand of humor. As host of panel shows such as Mock the Week and The Panel, Ó Briain has proven to be a quick-witted and insightful entertainer, earning him a dedicated fan base.

    Dara ร“ Briain (; Irish: [หˆdฬชห aษพห ษ™ oห หˆbสฒษพสฒiษ™nสฒ]; born 4 February 1972) is an Irish comedian and television presenter based in the United Kingdom and Ireland. He is noted for hosting topical panel shows such as Mock the Week, The Panel, and The Apprentice: You're Fired!. His TV work also includes starring in and writing of television comedy and documentary series. ร“ Briain has also been a newspaper columnist, with pieces published in national papers in both Britain and Ireland. In 2009, the Irish Independent described ร“ Briain as "Terry Wogan's heir apparent as Britain's 'favourite Irishman'" and in 2010, ร“ Briain was voted the 16th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups.
    • Age: 51
    • Birthplace: Bray, Republic of Ireland