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Author

Karl MacDermott

Karl MacDermott

Once referred to as ‘The Gummo Marx of Irish comedy’, Karl MacDermott was born in Galway. Find out all you need to know about him at karlmacdermott.com
His new comic novel ‘58% Cabbage’ is due for release in Spring 2021. A recent recipient of the Abernathy Norbert Bunchuk Fellowship, he is currently writer-in-residence at his home in Dublin.

Humour

My COVID Comedy Comeback

Karl MacDermott 0
If someone in the near future asks me ‘What was your main memory of Covid-19?’ I’ll know exactly what to say. ‘An ingrown toenail.’ Ok, not exactly a near-death experience in this truly unprecedented time, but developing an ingrown toenail,…
Humour

Stand-Ups and Turnips

Karl MacDermott 0
The humour editor of HeadStuff interviews Karl MacDermott about his new book Juggling With Turnips which touches upon Karl's own career as a stand-up comedian in Ireland in the 1990s. Reading your recently published book, Juggling With…
Humour

Ziggy Stardust Ruined My Life

Karl MacDermott 0
Monday the 11th of January 2016. David Bowie is dead. The world is in mourning.  Except for one person. 60 year-old Irish woman, Maisie Moynihan. “It’s because of that man I’m an old maid. It’s because of that man I’ve been left on the…
Humour

Galway’s Greatest Lover

Karl MacDermott 0
When I walked into Galway city as a young adult in the 1980’s I always passed this man in Lower Salthill who would be leaning over a low gate with his belly hanging out. And I would ask myself “Who is this man leaning over a low gate with…
Humour

Heckler For Hire

Karl MacDermott 1
In late 2004 I started using a small dictaphone to record my stand-up routine. To monitor where laughs were coming in my material. Ok, not laughs. Strained muffled pitiful groans. One evening I performed a spot at The Comedy Hovel. Later…
Humour Features

Give Pearse A Chance

Karl MacDermott 0
For the week that's in it, Karl MacDermott has thoughtfully provided us with his 2003 radio comedy pilot Give Pearse A Chance starring Conor Lambert, Morgan Jones, Karl MacDermott, Deirdre Monaghan and Colette Proctor and produced by Daniel…
Humour

The Judas Journal

Karl MacDermott 1
An approximate translation of an extract from Judas Iscariot’s recently unearthed journal. Am approached by a Roman centurion in a crowded bazaar. He asks me would I be willing to betray Jesus. It would be worth my while. He winks. I make…
Humour

The Sad Tale Of A Comedy Junkie

Karl MacDermott 0
It is 1996. I am a young Irish stand-up comedian. The stage is not my home. It is more like a youth hostel in Wiesbaden. I never storm during my act - just lightly rain shower. I have started referring to laughs as Godot. Most evenings when…
Humour

Joseph – Diary Of A Carpenter

Karl MacDermott 0
In the archaeological discovery of the year, Joseph the Carpenter’s diaries have recently been unearthed. Here we examine his account of that very first Christmas and find a written testimony that at times gives us a surprising insight into…