He’s one of the most familiar comedic faces on TV. And as long as there are satellite channels endlessly churning out classic comedy series, things are likely to continue that way for a long time to come.
But there’s always been much more to Ardal O’Hanlon than the gormless but lovable Fr. Dougal Maguire. In the decade since Craggy Island was the centre of his (and our) comedy universe he’s been a regular on TV doing everything from hosting a series of The Stand Up Show on BBC1 to making guest appearances on shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Shooting Stars as well as appearing in acclaimed shows such as Ben Elton’s sit-com Blessed. He has also been called upon to host shows such as The 100 Greatest TV Characters on Channel 4 and Perfect Night In on BBC2 where he effectively took over the channel for three hours to talk about his favourite movies and TV programmes
He’s done his share of straight acting too – in films such as The Butcher Boy and Flying Saucer Rock ‘n’ Roll, also appearing in the stage play See You Next Tuesday which ran successfully at The Gate Theatre in Dublin and in London’s West End. He’s even written a best-selling novel, The Talk of The Town published in 1998. Latterly, he’s been imparting his knowledge of European football rivalries on the brilliantly compelling RTE series Leagues Apart, which he not only presents in his own inimitably relaxed manner but which he scripts with a gift for wry observation that suggests he’ll never be short of offers should the comedy thing dry up.
Not that this is likely in the near future. Stand-up has always been dear to his heart and he jumps at the chance of getting out on the road and entertaining the masses, as he explains in the middle of his latest trek around Ireland and the UK.
“I don’t know what it is about performing live,” he says. “It’s just something that drags you back all the time. I can’t explain it. I think it’s the immediacy of it, you feel alive when you’re up there in front of an audience. Comedy people in general enjoy that kind of power but unfortunately it’s a temporary, fleeting thing. I think most comics probably have a hankering to form a secret religion and take over the world (laughs).”
The main challenge with stand-up as he sees it is in coming up with fresh, original material to satisfy the laughter-hungry hordes. “A lot of us in comedy really envy people in the music business,” he confides. “Usually, if audiences go to see a band or a singer-songwriter, they’ll want to hear the old familiar songs and maybe a few new ones. But with us it’s the complete opposite – if I tell an old joke people will complain that they’ve heard it before, so I’ve to come up with new stuff every time. It takes years and you’re constantly testing the material on audiences, there’s a sort of a science to it. It’s always a challenge but I did a gig in Drogheda last night and the new stuff went down well.”
Still astonishingly youthful looking with that boyish grin ever-present, O’Hanlon turned 40 last October. Did it mark a watershed for him or was it business as usual?
“I think because other people make such a fuss about it that it concentrates the mind a bit. But I suppose 40 is a landmark of some sort and you have a 40th party and all that nonsense. But I did take stock and yes, I reflected – some people might think I reflect way too much. But there was a couple of major things that happened to me around that time. I’d been working on a novel for a few years and it just wasn’t getting anywhere so I decided to give up on it, to just leave it alone. It was a massive relief once I made that decision and I felt great to be back doing I what I wanted really to do. I mean, I’m confused most of the time. I don’t have a masterplan like some people. I’m lucky in that I have a few alternatives open to me in terms of work. But I’ve a young family and you can’t be doing things that take up enormous amounts of your time for no good reason.”
Leagues Apart, his offbeat look at football supporters and their teams showcased a whole new side to O’Hanlon, while also giving him the chance to indulge in one of his passions. “It was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done,” he says. “The reaction to it has been hugely positive which makes it even more satisfying. But the live thing I’ll always return to when I get the chance. I absolutely love it. But that said I’m going to have a bit of a break after this tour. And the fact that the World Cup starts the day after it finishes is a complete coincidence.”
Finally what does he think of Ireland’s latest comedy heroes Podge & Rodge? “It’s brilliant but they’re in danger of ruining it for us all,” he says. “I’m actually more shocked that people would want to go on the show as guests. It’s staggering what they put themselves through. And no, I haven’t been asked to appear on it. I think I’d be insulted if I was.”