Writer & Performer: Ailish McCarthy
Self confessed ‘nosy bitch’ Ailish McCarthy has been on a mission since 2023. A mission to have comedy funded by The Arts Council of Ireland. What started out as a quest to find out whether comedy was even funded turned into a campaign after she discovered it wasn’t. In her show, presented as part of the Scene and Heard Festival, Ailish brings us all along on her journey and tries to convince the audience (and the Arts Council) that comedy is indeed an art form worthy of recognition and funding.
The show starts with no one on stage and a brief PowerPoint giving the audience a background on the Arts Act and the Arts Council. This gels well with the show overall as PowerPoint is used throughout to keep us aware of where we are in the 3 year timeline at any given point. Ailish eases the audience in gently with a brief audience interaction moment asking if anyone knows what the show is about, an hilarious discussion about her love for rules, and an even more hilarious discussion about possible alternative names for the show. Although parts of the show are more serious, the jokes are well timed throughout to ensure that the line between stand up and lecture is never crossed. It’s well written and well structured making it easy to follow, incredibly linear and also truly uproariously funny.
Ailish herself is very easy to watch. She has a very casual style that puts an audience at ease quickly. She makes an effort to ensure that she feels like someone you know and that makes it very easy to connect with her. She delivers each joke effortlessly and with excellent comedic timing. Her body language and facial expressions throughout match perfectly with the jokes, as well as with the Ailish we have now gotten to know.
Me, Myself and Ireland had an engaged audience laughing from start to finish. One thing is for sure, never doubt a woman on a mission.
Reviewed 20th February 2026.
