...as that would help unlock funding

Irish stand-ups have stepped up their campaign to make comedy eligible for arts funding.

Sinn Féin politician Aengus Ó Snodaigh has introduced a Bill to the Dáil to add the single word ‘comedy’ after ‘circus’ in the definition of the arts.

However, the Government has decided to delay the legislation for 18 months – despite its brevity – sparking anger among the industry.

A number of comedians addressed TDs and Senators this morning, with Ailish McCarthy, pictured, telling them that comedy ‘is not a fringe pursuit, but a vital pillar of Irish artistic life’.

‘The omission of comedy has enormous consequences,’ she said. ‘Comedians, stand-ups, improvisers and sketch performers are automatically excluded from applying for support. For a country that prides itself on its wit and world-class storytelling, that is both an irony and an injustice.’

She said that despite Ireland producing ‘some of the finest comedians in the world’, comedians are forced to emigrate to make a career

And Sinéad Crilly, who performs as Shinanane Higgins, said: ‘It feels like… there’s money for all the nice violin players, but not for people doing the arts that are more for the working class.’ 

The campaign mirrors efforts in the UK to have comedy recognised as an official art form

Published: 6 Nov 2025