From Castlebar to Kurdistan for local comedian

COMEDIAN Ger Staunton is busier than ever since the return of live events.

While Ireland was still making plans to reopen at the end of last year, the Mayo funnyman was already trekking through Austria, Slovakia, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland performing sell-out shows.

“I was lucky that I got in and out during the window I did,” Staunton says, “as most cities went back into lockdown the day after I performed. I was starting to think I was the new variant.”

Now, after spending St. Patrick’s week performing in London, the Castlebar native has been selected to be part of the Dubai Comedy Festival this month. The prestigious UAE festival, which also features such acts as Josh Widdicombe and Russell Peters, will run from May 12 to 22, with Staunton doing a bonus show in Erbil, Iraq, on May 19.

Although looking forward to performing in the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan region, the jokes and giggles are not lost on him. “I’ve no shortage of opener suggestions from my friends but I’m sure I may have to tweak my set a little bit. Let’s just say I won’t hang the success of my show on them knowing who Enda Kenny is.”

Information and ticketing for the Dubai Comedy Festival can be found at www.dubaicomedyfest.ae, with what are guaranteed to be very interesting stories and updates to be found on Staunton’s social media: Instagram - @gerstaunton; Facebook - @gerstauntoncomedian.