The Johnathan Swift Festival

[blockquote_right]30 Nov | 8pm | Main Space[/blockquote_right]

A celebration of Irish Comedy and Satire.

Featuring John Colleary, Kevin McGahern, Hannah Mamalis, Aine Gallagher and hosted by David McSavage.

Swift Laughs is sure to tickle a few funny bones while ruffling a few feathers.

Kevin McGahern

Originally from Cavan, Kevin first began performing stand up in 2009 before joining the popular television series The Hardy Bucks on RTÉ 2 as Simcard. After featuring in a number of sketches on the show, Kevin took over as host of Republic of Telly, initially alongside Bernard O’Shea and Jennifer Maguire before flying solo in 2015.

As well as performing in the top Irish comedy clubs, in particular the International Bar in Dublin, he has performed in a number of festivals including Galway Comedy Carnival, Forbidden Fruit and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2013, he toured with his show 2 Grown Men alongside fellow comedian Edwin Sammon.

He presented the documentary Kevin McGahern’s Fast & Furious for RTÉ in 2015. His laid back style was praised for his open mindedness and sense of curiosity. Following on from this, he presented a three-part series in 2016 for RTÉ called Kevin McGahern’s America.

Kevin has featured in the films Flat Lake (2013) and Portrait of a Zombie (2012). He also co-wrote the play The Devil’s Céilí with Philip Doherty, which won Best Play at the All Ireland Drama Festival in 2014.

Hannah Mamalis

Hannah is a Dublin based actress, writer and comedian. Her screen credits include RTE’s Republic of Telly and Des Bishops This is Ireland, alongside roles on Ripper Street and the Element Distributions/Studio Canal produced feature The Drummer and the Keeper. Hannah has written two sitcoms for Television Production Company Sideline which have been presented to both Sky Ireland and the BBC.

Her one-woman show The Egg is a Lonely Hunter which premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival 17’, was subsequently nominated for three awards and asked to return for the First Fortnight Festival, after which it completed a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 18’.

Hannah regularly writes and performs her own material and contributes to Dublin based sketch groups Dreamgun and MOB Theatre Company. She has performed at Body and Soul, the Vodafone Comedy Festival, the Galway Comedy Carnival and the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival.

John Colleary

Apart from being one of the most in demand comics around, John Colleary has also co written and starred in IFTA nominated shows, The Savage Eye (RTE2) and Irish Pictorial Weekly (RTE1).  

A talented actor and mimic, John recently featured as one third of The Gusset Brothers on The Tommy Tiernan Show (RTE1). Colleary has also scooped a PPI award for his topical sketch writing and performance on TODAYFMs drivetime flagship, The Last Word. 

A regular at Kilkenny Cat Laughs, Vodafone Comedy Carnival and The Electric Picnic,  to name a few, John Colleary is definitely one to watch.

Áine Gallagher

Áine Gallagher, award winning comedian and ‘queen of the off-beat’,  guarantees audiences a divinely awkward experience and uses a deadpan approach to introduce fun and often complex themes, through the naïve and innocent viewpoint portrayed by her character. Coming fresh from her second solo run  at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018 and debut run in the Dublin Fringe Festival, Áine is recognized as one of the country’s up and coming comedians and ‘a fresh and exciting new act’ as described by Deirdre O’Kane. 2018 has seen her perform at all major Irish comedy festivals including; The Kilkenny Cat Laughs, Body and Soul, Vodafone Comedy Festival Dublin and The Electric Picnic. She has also supported top comedians including Deirdre O’Kane, Alison Spittle, Tommy Tiernan and Phil Jupitus.

The Jonathan Swift Festival is an initiative of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral which was founded in 1191 and is the National Cathedral for the Church of Ireland.

Age Suitability : 18+

Running Time : 90 mins

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