The Comedy Tent at the Indiependence festival in Mitchelstown is the place to be during the first weekend of August. Revellers can sample the madcap brilliance of Dave McSavage, the Aussie charm of Damo Clarke, and the rapid-fire wit of Andrew Stanley. A host of up-and-coming comics are getting their chance to shine at the festival. One of the picks of this bunch is Edwin Sammon. A highly cerebral stand-up with a beautiful mind and an even more beautiful beard, the Offaly performer is definitely worth checking out.
Other talented newcomers at Mitchelstown include Kevin McGahern (aka 'Sim Card' of Hardy Bucks fame), Kevin Goldsmith, Conor O’Toole, Cian McGarrigle, and Alison Spittle.  
Tommy Tiernan embarks on his World Tour of the Islands this August, beginning off the coast of Cork. While so many other comics jet off to the fringe, Tiernan’s will turn up at the Islander’s Rest in Sherkin Island (9), Club Cleire in Cape Clear (10), and The Hotal in Bere Island (11), before heading west to Early’s Bar in Arranmore Island (15).
Should you opt to stay in the capital throughout August, there’s still plenty of great stand-up on offer.
The wonderful comic/magician (and Ireland’s premier sword-swallower), Jack Wise, is playing the Laughter Lounge on August 2 and 3.
Iconic, mumbling Northerner Kevin McAleer will be performing for one night only in the Viking Theatre in Clontarf on August 4. 
Meanwhile, fans of Irish Pictorial Weekly can catch one of the undoubted stars of that show John Colleary at the Capital Comedy Club in the Ha’penny Bridge Inn on August 4 and again at the Laughter Lounge on August 15.

BEST OF THE REST
Ian Coppinger (Laughter Lounge August 8, 9 and 10 )
Gearoid Farrelly (Ha’penny Bridge Inn August 14)