Frank Kelly of course is best known as Father Jack Hackett the raving drunken foul mouth priest from Father Ted. But I first knew him as Parnell Mooney on RTE's Hall's Pictorial Weekly. As a young lad growing up Halls Pictorial Weekly starring Frank Kelly was a show that all the family enjoyed; well my father enjoyed it when Fine Gael was being lampooned and I enjoyed it when grown men were acting like gobshite local councillors. I didn't understand the politics but I had my suspicions that most people in authority were gobshites and it was a relief to think at least one grown up thought so too. Frank Kelly for me also represented the possibility of making a living out of acting the eejit. The only comedy album we had in the house was of his character Gobnait O'Lunasa. He is an incredibly mild mannered erudite man and yet lurking inside there, there is a lovely bit of absurd brilliant madness.

I got to know Ardal O' Hanlon when I was starting out in comedy and we all met once a week at The Comedy Cellar in The International Bar. Since then we have worked together on and off most notably in Father Ted and a lovely film called Flying Saucer Rock n' Roll. Over the years Ardal has appeared on Whose Line Is It Anyway, My Hero, Hooves Of Fire, Dr Who and has presented Top Of The Pops. He has also written a novel called Talk Of The Town and is an accomplished stand up comedian.

The first time I saw Kevin McAleer live was in Andrews Lane Theatre. He came on stage and without saying anything more than " Aye" and "Well ye see" he had the audience in stitches for a good ten minutes before actually doing any material. It was the most incredible thing I ever experienced at a live comedy event. It was the kind of laughter that comes in waves like when you are with a group of friends and you get a fit of the giggles which is something that very rarely happens at comedy gigs. He had invented this character that the whole country had tapped into so we were all in on the joke but I'm sure there were others who found it bewildering. Years later I got to tour with Kevin and Barry Murphy in the modestly titled "The Kings Of Comedy" show and got to know him as the true gentleman he is. He is a man you just want to spend time with.

I work with Dermot Whelan on a regular basis with The Dublin Comedy Improv. He is a tremendous improviser and has brought those talents to his radio show The Dermot and Dave Show on Today FM. He also is a drummer with the band The 1234's covering all the punk classics along with Colm Murphy, John Colleary and Jackie Hamilton (formerly bassist with The Moondogs) and has presented The Republic Of Telly and The Soccer Show. He is a great stand up comedian and impressionist to boot. In this podcast we talk about his growing up in Limerick, making fake news reports, a disastrous audition for a "youth" program on RTE and lots more.

I met Cathy Davey at The Electric Picnic after performing at her stage "My Lovely Ranch" which she set up to promote and collect donations for her charity "My Lovely Horse". The charity rescues and looks after urban abandoned horses and dogs. The name comes from the fact that her partner Neil Hannon co-wrote the famous song from Father Ted with Graham Linehan. I've been a big fan of Cathy for years and particularly loved her last album The Nameless. I visited her at the house she shares with Neil and talked to her as she fed the chickens and checked on the horses and donkeys. I was amazed that she had put her music career on hold to concentrate on her charity work but am glad to find out she has a new album recorded and ready for release.