Kevin McGahern

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

Kevin McGahern
Born	(1986-11-07) 7 November 1986 (age 37) Lough Gowna, County Cavan, Ireland
Alma mater	University of Wolverhampton

Early life

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

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

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] McGahern has also had acting roles in many 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.^[21] In 2021, McGahern had a two-episode guest role on the CBBC musical science-fiction series, Nova Jones.

Activism

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.^[22] 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.^[23][24] As well as speaking out in favour of marriage equality,^[25] McGahern has also campaigned in favour of a "yes" vote in the 2018 abortion referendum.^[26]

Personal life

McGahern married Siobhan Cassidy in 2018.^[27] They have two children together.^[28]

References

1. "'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. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
2. "Television: RTÉ's American hunt for crazies comes up Trumps". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
3. "Review of Irish Film @ Cork Film Festival: No Party for Billy Burns". Film Ireland. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
4. "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. . 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. "Clear History: Kevin McGahern on the power of "owning your shame"". 21 February 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
22. Lalor, Eric. "Video: Republic of Telly's anti-homophobia sketch is pretty flippin' good". Joe. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
23. "Slowly saving the world with satire: Tara Flynn". campus.ie. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
24. "WATCH: Armagayddon". GCN. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
25. "Referendum opinion yes rt and gow". The Anglo Celt. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
26. Coyne, Ellen (24 April 2018). "Abortion vote affects you as well, men told". Retrieved 2 June 2023 – via The Times.
27. O'Loughlin, Mikie (26 June 2018). "RTE star ties the knot in glorious wedding in County Cavan". RSVP Live. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
28. 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.