Podarooney

Talented award-winning writer and stand-up, Mark Maier, is an established and highly sought after performer on both the national and international comedy circuits. Mark Maier has appeared in Harry Hill The Movie and in various cameo roles in the series Harry Hill’s TEA-TIME Amongst his many credits, Mark has taught and performed improvisation with Catherine Tate in London and has had a string of successful radio series, in which he was both writer and performer. Awards * 3 London International Advertising Awards ’96 (radio writing – humour) * 2 London International Advertising Awards ’96 (radio writing – utilities) * Aerial Award (radio writing) ‘96 * Radio Writing and Television Award – Hollywood International Broadcast Award ’97 (radio writing) * Jewish performer of the year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Gunn (born 1964) is a British stand-up comedian, presenter, actor, writer, and voiceover artiste. He is most notable for his performance on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and for appearing in nine episodes of Al Murray's Time Gentlemen Please.  In the late 1980s he attended Clouds House, a 12-step drug treatment centre for his heroin addiction, and has been drug-free ever since. It was during his rehabilitation that Mike took up stand-up comedy, performing his first gig at Jacksons Lane Community Centre, North London, in 1995. Mike spent four years educating young children about drugs by working on the 2Smart4Drugs roadshow which was funded by Essex police. Gunn has been a contributor for The Guardian, and has also written for Time Out, The List, The 11 O'Clock Show (CH4) and even Match of The Day Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2010, Jo Caulfield was nominated as 'Funniest Woman 2010' (LAFTA Awards). She has previously been nominated as 'Best Female Comedian 2002' (Chortle Awards), 'Best Compere 2004' (Chortle Awards) and one of 'The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups' (Channel 4). She has appeared at major comedy clubs, both in the UK and overseas, and has completed two solo nationwide tours, and a further three as support act of Graham Norton, Puppetry of the Penis and Rory Bremner. For the last nine years, Caulfield has taken a new solo comedy show to the Edinburgh Fringe. Caulfield was Comedy Writer/Programme Consultant for all five series of the BAFTA Award-winning So Graham Norton. She was also head writer on both Ruby Wax's Waiting Game and Zoe Ball's 'Strictly Dance Fever' (BBC3). Caulfield has also written for Joan Rivers, Anne Robinson, Denise Van Outen and Ant & Dec among others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's PODAROONEY, Joe chats to Ellen O'Reilly.  Since the day she switched from guitar to bass aged 17, Ellen O’Reilly has been one of the busiest bassists around. Combined with a powerful lead vocal, this has made her a go-to musician for live, recording and TV work alike. Hailing from Drogheda on Irelands east coast, Ellen had built up an impressive CV in her native country, appearing on Irish TV shows like Class Act and Podge and Rodge, playing with numerous Irish artists, and gaining extensive live performance experience. Having been initially self-taught, Ellen decided to take her playing to the next level and won the prestigious Ernieball/Musicman Bass Scholarship to study at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in 2011. She then went on to win the “Best Bassist” award and leave with an Honours Degree in Popular Music Performance. Ellen is now performing as a stand up comedian on a regular basis on the London circuit and is using comedy to deal with some major recent life chan

Owen Colgan, Irish cult comedy hero is best known for his role as Buzz McDonnell from Hardy Bucks. Hardy Bucks has seen Owen star in 4 hit seasons aired on Ireland's national broadcaster RTE and the Hardy Bucks hit movie which media coined 'the Irish Hangover' and was produced by the mammoth Universal Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a Facebook following of over 310,000, regular appearances on RTEs funny Friday, various TV & Radio appearances and his contributions to JOE.IE, Uni-Lad & LadBible videos Als star is rising by the day. Al is an impressionist & mimic of extraordinary talent and has over a hundred separate voices in his arsenal of comedic impressions, but his stand-outs are Conor McGregor, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Mike Tyson, Eddie Murphy, Donald Trump, Roy Keane, Jose Mourinho, Eamon Dunphy and many others who he weaves into situations that stand out for their hilarity and just good laugh out loud fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2005 Francis Cronin served with the United Nations on the UNMIL peace enforcing mission in Liberia and on his return began an Irish Army cadetship as part of the 82nd Cadet class and received a presidential commission in 2007 'Winning the tactical sword for leadership'. He retired a lieutenant in 2008. While serving in the Irish Defense Forces he began a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychological studies and Spanish at the National University of Ireland, Galway.  After living his entire final year of university in a tent Francis performed a one man show Tent Boy While living in the tent Francis achieved national acclaim for his video series documenting his adventures on his YouTube channel Glowpunk. He began performing standup comedy in 2013 and has since performed with Emmy Award winning Saturday Night Live alumnus Dana Carvey and Christopher Titus.  He recently walked from San Francisco to LA to raise money and awareness for homeless people. He is about to do the same back here in Ireland by walking

Matthew Dunehoo is an actor and director, known for No Margrettes (2015), The Vetting(2017) and Wretch (2019). As creator and leader of the band Doris Henson, he shaped one of KC’s most celebrated rock groups. Doris skirted the brink of national recognition. Before its demise in October 2006, the band opened for Billy Corgan on tour; released its second album, Give Me All Your Money and even got shout outs from Pitchforkmedia and Spin. He then moved to New York and formed the band Baby Teardrops releasing the album “X Is For Love” . He moved back to Kansas City and formed current band The Slights. The film Wretch written and directed by Mathew was shot in KC in May 2018. It has been accepted at the Horror Hound Festival in Indianapolis, The Night Visions festival in Helsinki and now the Carlow International Film Festival in….Carlow. It will go on general release in 2020.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tracy Carroll's two-year-old daughter Willow has the highest grade of cerebral palsy, is fed through a tube and will be in “nappies for the rest of her life.” The mum of two strongly criticised how the government means tests families who are struggling financially. She outlined to the Minister that she receives a €309 monthly domiciliary care allowance but it’s no sooner in her pocket before it’s spent. Tracy has to travel from Kells to Dublin every week to get Willow to montessori because of a lack of facilities and staff suitable for her needs close by. Tracy gets nine hours of home help per week which she spends dropping her five year old son Noah to school and collecting Willow’s medication. Tracy said: “We should be given a yearly allowance to spend on services that we know would benefit our children. Instead of throwing money at it, they need to talk to parents to see exactly what is needed." “The State are massively failing in every area of healthcare. I have no confidence in the services that ar

Shazia Mirza was born in Birmingham, England—the eldest daughter of Muslim parents who moved from Pakistan to Birmingham in the 1960s. About a year into her comedy career, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Mirza performed a routine which began "My name is Shazia Mirza. At least, that's what it says on my pilot's licence". The routine was widely commented upon, and she was profiled as a ground breaking comedian on CBS's 60 Minutes. Shazia has been a columnist for The Guardian since 2008. Her show 'The Kardashians Made Me Do It' premiered at Kilburn's Tricycle Theatre and went on to sell out runs at London's Soho Theatre. The show was a satire on offence and political correctness and was critically well received. It also toured for 103 performances in Europe. Her comedy is said to push barriers and as a comedian she is often referred to as 'brave'. I talked to her straight after she had been to meet members of The Royal Family.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Farragher has been a well-known columnist in the Irish American community for the last two decades, covering the Irish and Irish American music scenes for the New York based Irish Voice and Irishcentral.com. He’s written a series of funny essay books about growing up Irish, Catholic, and guilty in the swamps of New Jersey called “This Is Your Brain on Shamrocks.” These books are the backbone of a new series called “McLean Avenue,” an Irish American comedy set in the Manhattan suburbs not far from where Mike grew up.  There’s a priest in this series so I dusted off my collar from the Father Ted Days, flew to Kansas, and joined the crew for a few laughs.  I talked to Mike while he was in Dublin in between business trips and we talked about his books, off-Broadway plays, and the road that led him to the McLean Avenue TV show The series is looking for a home on one of the streaming services at the moment and you can keep after the news of it by liking the “McLean Avenue: the series” page on Facebook. L

Brian Byrne is a composer, conductor, songwriter, arranger and pianist living in Los Angeles. He is a Golden Globe nominated composer who has won two World Soundtrack Awards and a Satellite Award for his music to the song and score for the movie Albert Nobbs. From huge orchestral scores to minimal ensemble pieces Brian has written music for all genres. He was collaborated with such international luminaries as Barbara Streisand, Liza Minelli, Lisa Stansfield, Bono, Gladys Knight and Pink to name but a few. He composed along with his wife Kasey Jones the stage musical Angel Of Broadway which was premiered recently in the National Concert Hall.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allie O’Rourke has performed nationwide, peddling her brand of Girl Dick Energy, gracing stages such as Whelans and The Comedy Cellar. She is cofounder and 1/4 of The Petty And Heartbroken Comedy Tour, Producer and 1/3 of The Post Performance Pints Podcast and the resident MC of Bounceback Comedy. Allie is a hilarious and eye opening middle finger to a world that doesn’t want trans people to exist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THUMPER are a noise-pop sextet from Dublin, delivering bubblegum psych through a wall of sonic death. With a reputation for raucous and frenzied live shows, and penchant for howling feedback and pounding rhythm, each show is an exercise in unpredictability. THUMPER have just released their first studio record 'Out of Body Auto-Message' (produced by Dan Fox of Girl Band) before playing their biggest Dublin show yet at Lost Lane, and then head out on a 3 month festival tour including huge slots at Primavera, Body & Soul, Knockanstockan and more.  I had a chat with Oisin and Alan before they headed off to play at Sea Sessions and Body and Soul in one weekend “Their noise-pop sounds like it could fuel jet engines”  Paste Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drogheda Homeless Aid aim to restore dignity and hope by providing care, support and shelter for homeless men, encouraging self-development, independent living and resettlement. Drogheda Homeless Aid was set up in 1982 by Sr. Cait Fitzgerald to cater for the growing number of homeless people in the community, and since then has provided accommodation, care and support for over 4,000 homeless people, many of whom have resettled into our community and are living independent fulfilled lives. Drogheda Homeless Aid caters for 25 residents at any one time with 140 men typically staying in the hostel in a typical twelve-month period. Drogheda Homeless Aid is also a housing association with 5 long term houses and 3 transitional houses. I spoke to Bernard Maguire the chef in the centre and a couple residents, Martin and Pigeon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick McDonnell, Paul Tylak and Paul Woodfull join me to chat about becoming a parent and how it has changed us.  We also go on to talk about interactions with celebrities such as the late Freddie Starr, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard and Eurovision winner Linda Martin. Big heads are discussed and how Vincent Kompany appears to be one of the nicest people with literally a big head.  Bands with shocking names are deliberated over such as Throbbing Gristle, Scraping Foetus Off The Wheel and Severed Head and The Neck Fuckers (the latter band could not be verified as a bona fide band).  We also discuss drugs and whether they have been a good or bad influence on artists and our own bad and good experiences with them; psychedelic puking and pissing in a fireplace.  We also debate the best way to come down off mushrooms; either eating chocolate, having a cold shower or watching FatherTed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former founder member of The Nualas Sue Collins is now one half of comedy duo Dirt Birds along with Sinead Culbert.  They have been writing together for many years but only after putting some sketches up on Youtube did their popularity skyrocket. Applying their comic genius to the banal and the everyday their audience has grown exponentially to the point where they are touring their second show nationwide to sold out theatres.  Sue initially got into comedy back in the 90's with the three piece musical comedy act The Nualas along with Anne Gildea and Tara Flynn. They toured the UK and did stints in Singapore, Australia and New York.  Her TV credits include Raw (RTE) and Badly Drawn Roy (BBC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Moorehead founded The Punchline Comedy club in Hong Kong in 1994\. It was an immediate success, attracting enthusiastic audiences to shows by renowned comedians from UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and Canada.  The Hong Kong venture was quickly followed by venues in Shanghai (John took the first comedian to China), Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai and Vietnam.  John has had experience as a presenter on Asian TV on The Star TV Network and was in fact a familiar face on Asian TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vulpynes are a two piece punk rock band from Dublin comprising of Kaz on drums and Maeve Molly on guitar and vocals. In spite of the lack of a bass player the band have a weighty sound which is generated through overdrive, distortion and Kaz's intense and controlled drumming. In July 2016 only months after forming the band released their first single "Terry Said" and in 2017 released their second single "OCD".  In 2018 they released their debut EP ‘Vulpynes’ on UK label Headcheck Records to critical acclaim - supported Marmozets, Deap Vally & DOYLE(Misfits), blazed a trail across the UK festival circuit, made their German gig debut and released their gritty, impassioned track 2 Cents. They have recently toured with Sleaford Mods and are about to play their own show The Academy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this my 100th Podarooney I chat to Paul Tylak, Patrick McDonnell and Paul Woodfull all of whom I have done double acts with.  With Paul Tylak I was in The Quacksquad. We also wrote and performed in Flatheads a short punky sitcom on RTE back in the eighties and co-wrote and presented Messers Tylak and Rooney on TV3\. Paul has recently had major roles in the series The Informer on BBC and the film Halal Daddy. With Patrick McDonnell I was in The Pound Shop Boys and am currently touring with him as the Culchie Warriors. Our sketches can be found on the Joe and Pat Facebook page. Patrick McDonnell has written for and acted in The Savage Eye and Naked Camera and more recently in The Tommy Tiernan Show.  With Paul Woodfull I was in The Hairy Bowsies. Paul has written for The musicals I Keano and Copper Face Jacks. He is currently writing on the Father Ted musical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices