Deirdre O’Kane

Calling Deirdre O’Kane The First Lady of Irish Comedy is no overstatement. She is undoubtedly “Ireland’s number one funny woman” (Extra.ie) blessed with a “unique star quality” (The Guardian) who is “hilariously funny with ineffable charm” (Image Magazine). She will bring these sparkling qualities to #GCF26 where she will be appearing at the Festival’s ever popular mixed bill nights.

"Applause follows her all the way down the street"

— The Scotsman

Serena Terry

This Derrywoman’s comedy, via stand up, viral videos, and a novel have made her an in-demand comedy performer across Ireland, selling out such venues as Belfast’s SSE Arena and Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. Serena first came to prominence through her hugely successful online comedy ‘Mammy Banter’. She has since transitioned effortlessly to the live stage. With her sharp observational stand-up and relatable storytelling – with its hilarious insights into modern family life, relationships, and the everyday moments we all recognise – Serena has built a reputation for comedy that is warm, authentic, and irresistibly funny.

"Utterly hilarious! Born for it"

— Aisling Bea

The Kavanaghs

They’re living in despair (room). A hilarious new Irish comedy about Generation Stuck – the adults who thought they’d only be living with their parents for a few months… until life got in the way. Packed with big laughs, family chaos and razor-sharp observations, The Kavanaghs: Married with Parents is a brand new farce from Al Porter and Karl Spain. Al and Ryan only moved back in with his parents for six months. That was six years ago. Now, with Al’s parents preparing to fly to Germany for a wedding, the happy couple are finally about to have the house to themselves… or so they think. As suitcases pile up, secrets unravel and unexpected guests keep arriving, one ordinary weekend in Tallaght spirals into glorious chaos in this fast-paced comedy about family, love and the generation that can’t quite leave home. Starring Aisling O’Neill (Fair City’s Carol), Phelim Drew (Once, Remembering Ronnie), Al Porter (Perrier nominee), Ryan Andrews (Fair City) and top comics Willa White and Enya Martin. Directed by Christine Scarry, The Kavanaghs: Married with Parents is a brand new Irish comedy you’ll want to bring the whole family to!

Jack Dee

Jack’s back! The great man is marking 40 years in comedy in 2026, and Galway Comedy Festival is part of that milestone anniversary. Galwegians can look forward to a master comic who “turns grumpiness into an art form” (The Evening Standard) and whose “put-upon, misanthropic persona” always results in “an entertaining evening” (The Scotsman). He has appeared on Have I Got News for You, QI, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, The Apprentice: You’re Hired, and comedy series Josh.

"Grumpy was always Dee’s best tune… you name it, Dee’s teed off about it, sometimes to a sublime degree"

— The Guardian

Vanessa Larry Mitchell

Fabulous, filthy and downright hilarious! Australian comedian, Vanessa Larry Mitchell returns to Galway with her 2 hour comedy special: Teardrops on My Dildo: The Endurance. Declared “the funniest thing we've ever seen” by Perth’s Fringe Feed, this is two hours of comedy that will have Galway audience’s jaw aching, cores tightened, and pants wet! Little wonder she was the 'Best Stand-Up' Newcastle Fringe 2026 award winner 2026 and Australian Club Entertainment of the Year Nominee 2026.

"★★★★★ “…the delivery is flawless and the laughs are constant and side-splitting”"

— Kids in Adelaide

Tommy Tiernan

Tommy Tiernan adds another date of his ‘World Tour of Galway’ to treat #GCF26 audiences to his brand-new stand-up show, featuring this most singular comedian’s latest “wild yarns, philosophical detours” (Irish Examiner) and “good humour, high energy, insatiable curiosity and fearlessness” (RTÉ). It’s already been a great year for the honorary Galwegian, having won Irish Comedian of the Year for the second year in the Hot Press Readers Poll 2026, while his RTÉ chat show also enjoyed its landmark 10th season.

"A titan of Irish comedy"

— The Guardian