Kevin McGahern

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Kevin McGahern
Born (1986-11-07) 7 November 1986 (age 39)
Lough Gowna, County Cavan, Ireland
Alma materUniversity of Wolverhampton

Kevin McGahern (born 7 November 1986) is an Irish comedian, TV presenter, writer and actor.[1][2][3][4] He hosted Republic of Telly between 2013 and 2017 and documentary series Kevin McGahern’s America in 2016.[5][6]

Early life

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McGahern was born in 1986 and grew up on a farm in Gowna, County Cavan.[7][8] 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 the birthplace of Irish stand-up comedy,[10] the International Bar.[11] He stated in an interview that the two biggest influences on his early stand up were Steve Martin and Dylan Moran.[1]

Career

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In 2011, McGahern starred in the independent feature film No Party for Billy Burns which was written and directed by Padraig Conaty.[3] The film also stars Shane Connaughton, Sonya O'Donoghue and Charlie McGuinness. In 2013, McGahern became the host of Republic of Telly replacing Dermot Whelan.[12][13] He continued to host the show until its eventual cancellation in 2017, and was the longest serving host of the show.[14]

In 2017, McGahern 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.[15] It received positive reviews and McGahern was praised for his "low-key yet alert" interviewing style.[16][17] He also acted in the award-winning black comedy, Redemption of a Rogue. In 2021, McGahern hosted the RTÉ comedy panel show Clear History alongside team captains, Joanne McNally and Colin Murphy.[18] The series returned in 2022 with McGahern and McNally joined by new captain Jason Byrne.[19]

Other work

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Outside of his career in stand-up and presenting, McGahern is known for his acting work. 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.[20] In 2014, McGahern 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 2018, he starred in the Dublin Fringe Festival musical Trial of the Centurys, alongside Tony Cantwell and Peter McGann.[21]

McGahern has also had TV acting roles in Irish comedy series, including Bridget & Eamon, The Doireann Project, Nowhere Fast and Finding Joy. Between 2021 and 2022, McGahern had a recurring role as 'Michael Foley' in the RTÉ drama series, Smother.[22] In 2021, McGahern had a two-episode guest role on the CBBC musical science-fiction series, Nova Jones.

Activism

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McGahern often uses 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.[23] 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.[24][25] As well as speaking out in favour of marriage equality,[26] McGahern has also campaigned in favour of a "yes" vote in the 2018 abortion referendum.[27]

Personal life

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McGahern married Siobhan Cassidy in 2017.[28] They have two children together.[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b "'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". Irish Independent. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Television: RTÉ's American hunt for crazies comes up Trumps". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Review of Irish Film @ Cork Film Festival: No Party for Billy Burns". Film Ireland. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Corn Mill sweeps the boards at All-Ireland Drama Festival". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Republic of Telly stars mourn show's cancellation". RTÉ.ie. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  6. ^ Armstrong, Kathy (3 October 2016). "RTE comedian Kevin McGahern tells of station's warning as he filmed US show". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. ^ Nolan, Larissa (12 January 2018). "This is who I am". Retrieved 2 June 2023 – via The Times.
  8. ^ O'Connor, Siobhan (22 April 2018). "Kevin McGahern is set to make an interesting career move with new sitcom". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Funnyman Kevin on a roll as he returns to Galway". Connacht Tribune. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Did you hear the one about the comedy cellar?". Irish Independent. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. ^ Fetherston, Sinann (20 June 2018). "Kevin McGahern: From Rubber Ducks to Cat Laughs". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Gowna comic lands top RTE comedy job". 14 August 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  13. ^ Rabbitte, Eimear (31 August 2013). "I haven't time to miss being on Telly, says Dermot". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  14. ^ Barry, Aoife (1 February 2017). ""Every show has its time": Republic of Telly to go after eight years of comedy". The Journal. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Kevin McGahern's America". www.areaman.tv. Areaman Productions. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  16. ^ Fay, Liam (16 October 2016). "Farce and stripes". Retrieved 2 June 2023 – via The Times.
  17. ^ "Kevin McGahern's America – review – TN2 Magazine". TN2. 6 April 2017.
  18. ^ "Clear History". amp.rte.ie. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  19. ^ Donohoe, Amy (17 February 2022). "RTE 'shamefest' show Clear History is 'confessions without the priest' says host". DublinLive. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  20. ^ Neilan, Paul (26 July 2015). "Hardy bucks kevin mcgahern back on screens in autumn". The Anglo Celt. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  21. ^ Murphy, Lauren (19 August 2018). "Jedward put us up to this, say Trial of the Centurys creators Giles Brody and Bobby Aherne". The Times.
  22. ^ "Clear History: Kevin McGahern on the power of "owning your shame"". RTÉ.ie. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  23. ^ Lalor, Eric (27 February 2014). "Video: Republic of Telly's anti-homophobia sketch is pretty flippin' good". Joe. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Slowly saving the world with satire: Tara Flynn". campus.ie. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  25. ^ "WATCH: Armagayddon". GCN. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Referendum opinion yes rt and gow". The Anglo Celt. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  27. ^ Coyne, Ellen (24 April 2018). "Abortion vote affects you as well, men told". Retrieved 2 June 2023 – via The Times.
  28. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (26 June 2018). "RTE star ties the knot in glorious wedding in County Cavan". RSVP Live. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  29. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (8 April 2022). "Kevin McGahern wasn't prepared for how much love he could have for baby daughter". RSVP Live. Retrieved 2 June 2023.