Kevin McGahern

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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

[edit | edit source]

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

[edit | edit source]

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

[edit | edit source]

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

[edit | edit source]

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

[edit | edit source]

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

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  26. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  27. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  28. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  29. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=Kevin_McGahern&oldid=18223217"