Keith Farnan: Top five fears

While the Urban Fox Theatre Company considers fear in the Festival's theatre programme this year, Irish stand-up Keith Farnan also ponders some phobias over on the comedy Fringe, with his new show Fear Itself. To get you in the mood, Keith shares what he reckons might be the five most common fears of all.

Comedy cues #7: Keith Farnan - Fear Itself

Irish born and bred Keith Farnan is making a welcome return to the Fringe this year after a well deserved year off. He's decided to deal with Fear Itself this time round, which is a theme that most likely rears it's ugly head for most people involved in Edinburgh...

What comedians can teach politicians

There you are: a boy, standing in front of a whole bunch of other boys and girls, asking them to love you. But when times are tough, people need a target and politicians are much too canny to actually go out in front of a crowd, says Keith Farnan.

Greetings From Leicester - Keith Farnan

Keith Farnan talks about appearing at the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Money, Money, Money - Keith Farnan interview

The conscience-fuelled Irish comic talks money.

Interview: Keith Farnan

Have you heard the one about the Irish lawyer who became a stand-up comedian - and took inspiration for his first major live show from Death Row?

The voiceover man from The X Factor gives a bellowing introduction to Michael McIntyre and the latter skips onto the blazingly lit stage to a hysterical welcome from the people of Dublin. And that's the pitch it stays at throughout - bright lights, big laughs and constant reminders from McIntyre that what we're seeing is "Brilliant! Fantastic! Well done! Brilliant!" Which it certainly will be for anyone who likes jokes about Irishness. Keith Farnan riffs on the Irish fondness for drink, arguing that "If Irish men didn't drink we'd be Italian", and their rubbish dancing (ah, Riverdance jokes - remember them?), while Tommy Tiernan jokes about the Irish economic boom: "We found out when times were good that money doesn't suit Irish people." But it's the sheer strangeness of Andrew Lawrence's act that may stay in the mind longest. It's hard to improve on his way of describing himself: "Ginger hair, creepy face and voice like a sex offender." But funny, too.

Keith Farnan interview

'Oh my God, what have I done?' thought comedian Keith Farnan shortly after jacking in his career as a lawyer.

Keith Farnan's favourite drinking hole

Keith Farnan tells us why he has decided not to break with Irish tradition and recommend his favourite Edinburgh drinking hole, Under The Stairs as his Secret Edinburgh.