Having absolutely no qualifications or credentials, she has spent the last years on the road, popping up wherever she can to share her love of the language. Typically, Áine’s lessons focus on stories about her own mistakes, why speaking Irish and making mug cakes are exactly the same thing and why it is essential to understand Irish culture, for example our sophisticated dating system, in order for the language to make sense.
In this show, Áine finds a wholly unique way to promote Irish through fun and humour. There is no doubt that this “lesson” will surprise you as you understand much more than you expect, given Áine’s simple approach. With her deadpan, offbeat and wholly unique style, there is no doubt Áine will ignite your passion for Irish, even if you’ve never even heard the language before.
For more information see Smock Alley Theatre
“A fresh and exciting new Irish act”
– DEIRDRE O’KANE
“Destined for great things. Hilarious.”
– ALISON SPITTLE
“Her awkward self-stylings had the audience in hysterics.”
– FUNNY WOMEN UK
“Áine is cool!”
– DAVID O’DOHERTY
About Áine
Áine Gallagher, otherwise known as the “queen of offbeat”, is a professional stand up comedian, storyteller, writer and comedy training facilitator. She began performing comedy in 2011, in this time she has become a stand out Irish act.
With her novel use of bilingual comedy, she is a leading advocate for Irish language learning and she is proud to be Ireland’s only unqualified, guerrilla Irish teacher. She is passionate about using authentic storytelling to benefit the community at large and works with many organisations to facilitate others to develop their own storytelling skills and find their own voice.
Organisations she works with include; Berlin Stand Up School, Bright Club Ireland and numerous third level education bodies with a commitment to Public Engagement.
Her comedy guarantees audiences a ‘divinely awkward’ experience as she masterfully uses deadpan humour to introduce fun, unexpected and often complex themes.
She has performed at international festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Dublin Fringe Festival and the Vodafone Comedy Festival. She was the support act for professional comedians Deirdre O’Kane and Neil Delamere on their 2019 tours and has previously supported Tommy Tiernan, David O’Doherty, Phil Jupitus and Alison Spittle.
She appeared on the Irish reality TV show ‘An Gaelgeoir is Greannmhaire’ in 2013, she was runner up with Funny Women UK awards 2014, she published a Ted Talk in 2018 and is the subject of the internationally award winning documentary ‘Grá & Eagla’.
Áine Gallagher’s work is framed by a social mission. Her aims are to provide a fun and fresh comedy experience to her audiences, while focusing on relevant and important topics, namely promoting the Irish language and linguistic diversity, feminism and mental well being.