Gáire as Gaeilge: Irish language stand-up at Galway Comedy Festival 2026!

Gáirí móra, oíche ghrinn i nGaeilge, agus rí-rá agus ruaille buaille go leor! Gáire as Gaeilge returns to Galway Comedy Festival 2026! Discover all about it below!

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Gáire as Gaeilge, the annual night of Irish language stand-up comedy, is taking place for #GCF26 on Friday 23rd October at Pálás, headlined by Paddy McDonnell, with Aideen McQueen and Galwegian comedians Eddie Mullarkey and Seán Begley.

Long before the first words of English were ever spoken, the Irish language already had an established and formidable tradition of humour, comedy, and satire through its myths, legends, storytellers, and satirists - a tradition that lives on at #GCF26.

Belfast’s Paddy McDonnell has been called “a foundational player in Northern Ireland's growing comedy scene” by RTÉ; Corrblimey.uk declared Aideen McQueen “an excellent stand-up comedian. Her charisma and wit are undeniable”; while Today FM’s Dave Moore said of Seán Begley, “I can count on him to make me laugh”.

Fear an Tí will be Eddie Mullarkey, who has won praise for his top-notch crowd work and engaging, storytelling approach to observational stand-up.

As a West of Ireland-based event in the county with the largest Gaeltacht in Ireland, Galway Comedy Festival is committed to showcasing comedy in our native tongue and providing a platform for both the language and comedians with the ability to do stand-up as Gaeilge.

Luíonn gáire (“fits of laughter”) are guaranteed. For more information and tickets see www.GalwayComedyFestival.ie.

above: Eddie Mullarkey

Main photo of Paddy McDonnell.

All photos courtesy of Galway Comedy Festival