For me right now the Irish comedy scene is tucked away in a little part of the world called Gibney’ s in Malahide, Co Dublin.

In a way I suppose it represents what it was like when comedy came on the Irish scene at first, i.e. punters who have never been to a comedy club, comedians who have never been on stage and established comedians trying out new stuff. Most of the comedians that have performed in Gibney’s are Irish but I get the odd ‘International’ comedian in as well.

Regardless of where they are from the reaction of people to live, raw ‘in the fast lane’ stand up comedy is alive and well and very contrary to some people’s beliefs that Irish comedy is dwindling a bit. There is not enough of it. That is the problem. Some pub owners have tried it and have failed miserably because when it comes to setting up a room for comedy they haven’t got two neurones that synapse.

For example I had this guy on from Longford a while ago asking me could I organise a ‘comedy night’ in his pub for him as he heard great things about Gibney’s. As it happened I couldn’t do the night but told him that I could organise Des Bishop to perform and he was delighted with this. I always thought one didn’t not need to be a rocket scientist to work out what the basic requirements were for a comedy night. (a) a room; (b)a stage; (c) a working microphone; (d) few spot lights and (e) yes!... an audience (who have paid in). Was I taxing your brain Mr Longford man?

(a) yes, there was a room… The Bar; (b) yes, there was a stage – the staircase going up to the loo; (c) yes, there was a microphone... a radio mic... you know, the ones that sometimes work depending on what angle you hold it to your mouth?; (d) yes, there was a spot light... the exit sign and (e) yes there was an audience... all the locals who came in for their mandatory 36 pints and the barmen who couldn’t shut the fuck up talking to each other all the way... not just some of the way... all the way through Des’s set.

There are fantastic venues in Ireland. Unfortunately they are owned by gobshites who still think comedians are some kind of quirky showband that will perform over in a dark corner of a room.

I once had a guy who asked me would I do some ‘background’ comedy at a cheese and wine reception (Yes, reader, like background piano playing at a function).

Then there was the ‘Over 30 Floor Show’ in Mullingar (Yes, that’s what it means... all the punters are over 30 and the show is on the floor).

I arrived at 8pm, an hour before the show and was met by the organiser who was waiting for me on the street with his face tomato red, his glasses hanging off and his shirt hanging out, accusing me of being late and proceeding to have my car parked by one of his barmen. I waited an hour before the gig and, dear reader, if you don’t mind me saying’ I stormed it. After the gig he asked me what I would “settle for” as I was late. I told him I would settle for what was agreed. He told me to sit down and relax.

“Ah sure, will ya have a pint”?

“No, I have the car.”

“Ah sure, it’s Easter. Everyone is drinking and driving around here.”

Funnily enough there hasn’t been comedy there since.

I am always amazed at some punters’ reaction to some comedians. In Gibneys the odd over-50 golfer comes along and is sometimes phased by the fact that the person behind the microphone is not addressing the audience as Mr Captain, Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen. I had one such gentleman who told me that he had rung the Gardai to arrest Dave McSavage after the show and that if the Guards did not arrive he was going to make a ‘citizens’ arrest’. Could it have been something that Mr McSavage said?

Funnily enough, no arrests were made.