Five years, 14 venues and more than 80 comedians: the Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival is back this November for its biggest edition yet.
There are few things better than a good comedy night, but a good comedy night by the sea is a pretty strong contender.
The Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival returns this November for its fifth year, bringing a huge programme of stand-up, storytelling, improv, live shows and plenty of opportunities to have a laugh across Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey.
What began in 2022 with just four venues, 15 comedians and, apparently, a borrowed mic stand has grown into a major fixture on the local comedy calendar. This year, the festival takes over 14 venues with more than 80 comedians appearing across eight days.
And the lineup is seriously impressive.
Among the comedians joining the festival are Deirdre O’Kane, Reginald D Hunter, Andrew Maxwell, Jarlath Regan, Emma Doran, Neil Delamere, Al Porter, Barry Murphy, Willa White, Eric Lalor, Paul Howard, Risteard Cooper, Joe Rooney, Barbara Scully, Kevin McGahern, Phil Kay and Mr Pussy, alongside dozens more.
The variety is just as impressive as the names. There are intimate comedy rooms, bigger headline shows, late-night performances, brunches, improv and storytelling, meaning there should be something for pretty much every kind of comedy fan.
But what makes the Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival particularly appealing is that it isn’t confined to one venue.
The festival takes over the town itself, bringing comedians and audiences into some of Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey’s best-known venues. You can catch a big-name comedian one night, stumble across a new favourite the next, and be down by the harbour shortly afterwards.
That sense of place is a big part of the festival’s appeal.
Dún Laoghaire already has plenty going for it as a night-out destination, from the harbour and pier to its pubs, restaurants and lively local atmosphere. For a week in November, the town gets an additional dose of comedy, with venues across the area filling up with people looking for a good night out.
Five years on, the festival remains refreshingly straightforward: put great comedians in good rooms, bring people together and let them get on with making everyone laugh.
No giant arena required. No binoculars necessary.
Just comedians, audiences, great venues and the unmistakable backdrop of Dún Laoghaire.
The Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival is sponsored by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and returns in November 2026.
Five years. 14 venues. 80+ comedians. Eight days of comedy.
Come for the craic. Stay for the town.
Find out more and get tickets
- Festival website:dunlaoghairecomedyfestival.ie
- Browse the lineup and buy tickets: Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival tickets & lineup
