Kevin McGahern

Kevin McGahern (born 1986) is an Irish comedian, TV presenter, writer and actor.[1][2][3][4] He is the former host of Republic of Telly between 2013 and 2017 and documentary series Kevin McGahern's America.[5][6]

Kevin McGahern
Born1986 (age 34–35)
Lough Gowna, County Cavan, Ireland
Alma materUniversity of Wolverhampton

Early life

McGahern was born in 1986 and grew up on a farm in Gowna, County Cavan.[7][8]

Career

McGahern graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2009 with a degree in Animation.[9] He became a stand-up comedian after working as a barman in what is sometimes described as the birthplace of Irish comedy, the International Bar.[10] He stated in an interview that the two biggest influences on his early stand up were Steve Martin and Dylan Moran.[1]

Chris Tordoff, creator of Hardy Bucks, spotted McGahern during a stand-up performance one night in Dublin and offered him a cameo on his new show. McGahern's character, Sim Card, quickly became a regular cast member.[11]

In 2011, McGahern starred in the independent feature film No Party for Billy Burns which was written and directed by Padraig Conaty.[12] The film also stars Shane Connaughton, Sonya O'Donoghue and Charlie McGuinness. The film took six years to complete and was made on a budget of between €7,000 and €8,000.[3]

In 2013, McGahern became the host of Republic of Telly replacing Dermot Whelan.[13][14] He continued to host the show until its eventual cancellation in 2017, and was the longest serving host of the show.[15]

In 2014, he wrote and directed The Devil's Ceili with Philip Doherty, which went on to win two awards including best play at the All Ireland Drama Festival. The play presents the psychedelic experiences of three social climbers in a small Cavan town who are slipped LSD by the devil.[4]

In 2017, he hosted his own documentary series Kevin McGahern's America in which he explored various aspects of life in America: gun rights, intimacy in the digital age, and whether you really can choose your family.[16] It received positive reviews and McGahern was praised for his "low-key yet alert" interviewing style.[17][18]

He has sometimes used satire for activism. The Republic of Telly sketch "Felix Bollard: A Serious Man" lampooned anti-LGBT rights campaigners' activities during the run-up to the marriage equality referendum of 2015 in Ireland.[19] Along with fellow Irish comedian Tara Flynn, he wrote and starred in a video for LGBT Noise called "Armagaydon". The video had a swell of international support.[20][21] As well as speaking out in favour of marriage equality,[22] McGahern has also campaigned in favour of a "yes" vote in the 2018 abortion referendum.[23]

References
  1. "'I didn't tell anyone. I didn't tell my girlfriend. I snuck out at night' – former Republic of Telly host Kevin McGahern on starting out in stand-up – Independent.ie".
  2. "Television: RTÉ's American hunt for crazies comes up Trumps – Independent.ie".
  3. "Review of Irish Film @ Cork Film Festival: No Party for Billy Burns – Film Ireland". filmireland.net.
  4. "Corn Mill sweeps the boards at All-Ireland Drama Festival".
  5. "Republic of Telly stars mourn show's cancellation". 1 February 2017.
  6. Armstrong, Kathy (3 October 2016). "RTE comedian Kevin McGahern tells of station's warning as he filmed US show".
  7. Nolan, Larissa (25 October 2018). "This is who I am" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  8. O'Connor, Siobhan (22 April 2018). "Kevin McGahern is set to make an interesting career move with new sitcom".
  9. Reporter, Our (9 June 2017). "Funnyman Kevin on a roll as he returns to Galway – Connacht Tribune".
  10. Fetherston, Sinann (24 April 2018). "Kevin McGahern: From Rubber Ducks to Cat Laughs".
  11. "Anglo Celt – Hardy bucks kevin mcgahern back on screens in autumn".
  12. "Padraig Conaty: How We Made 'No Party for Billy Burns' - Film Ireland". filmireland.net.
  13. "Gowna comic lands top RTE comedy job".
  14. "I haven't time to miss being on Telly, says Dermot – Herald.ie".
  15. Barry, Aoife. ""Every show has its time": Republic of Telly to go after eight years of comedy".
  16. Productions, Areaman. "Kevin McGahern's America". www.areaman.tv.
  17. Fay, Liam (16 October 2016). "Farce and stripes" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  18. "Kevin McGahern's America – review – TN2 Magazine". 6 April 2017.
  19. "Video: Republic of Telly's anti-homophobia sketch is pretty flippin' good – JOE.ie".
  20. "Slowly saving the world with satire: tara flynn – campus". campus.ie.
  22. "Anglo Celt – Referendum opinion yes rt and gow".
  23. Senior Ireland Reporter, Ellen Coyne (24 April 2018). "Abortion vote affects you as well, men told" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
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