Ardal O'Hanlon

Fundamentally, I was a very shy and quiet person growing up, so it was just really difficult getting up on a stage.…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I was quite young when my dad went into politics but, as it went on, I became self-conscious about it.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

Despite the apparent trappings of modest success in television and so on, I have always been an uneasy person. I can't change…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I read one of the funniest books last week by Don DeLillo. He wrote this book, 'Amazons' many years ago, under the…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I think there is a very strong sense of Irish identity, and I think partly that's to do with the fact that…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I think making a documentary gets you out and about more, with people. With stand-up, you're talking at people. With documentaries you're…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I remember being chronically shy. I came out of my shell a bit when I went to university, but I'm still fairly…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

Tony Currie was another great favourite, even if he only played for a short time at Leeds. His wife told me once…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

The English, being the most practical people in the world, came up with parliamentary democracy and codified football and Cadbury's Creme Egg.…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I think my first girlfriend and I hardly spoke to each other in the year we were going out. In fact we…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I remember my first ever gig in town, I was very nervous. I had a big red shiny face. But that all…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I was able to tour successfully and attract a fairly wide audience, but it was hard to assert myself as a stand-up…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

When I was growing up, you never knew whether people were being serious or not. There was a lot of nodding and…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I think Irish people pride themselves on being at the forefront of technological industries, things like the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, all…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

As a comic, you are trying to please people in some way - to make them laugh.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

The big turning point for me was a school debate in sixth year when, against all odds and to everybody's surprise, I…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

Dragged out of your bed at the age of seven, my mother screaming, six kids under the age of 12. I'm not…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I make a lot of jokes about vegetarians in my act but most of them don't have the strength to protest.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

If I was a very stable person, I would not have to do comedy. Nobody would have to listen to me.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I don't take myself or the species too seriously. You have to laugh at everything.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I crave the variety, I really do. I'd probably say standup as I think that's what I do best, if I may…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

Where I come from people are very deadpan with a dry humour that I suppose rubbed off on me.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

My father was a typical Irish father. He was a nice, hard working, driven guy. His politics were very conservative and I…

— Ardal O'Hanlon

I'm Irish. I don't know how to take a compliment.

— Ardal O'Hanlon

Getting up in front of the toughest crowds, you know, playing pubs in South Armagh - where people didn't necessarily even know…

— Ardal O'Hanlon