Deirdre O’Kane

Deirdre O’Kane – Irish Comedian Performing Sell-Out Tours, 5x Host of the Irish Film & Television Academy Awards, Appeared on BBC’s QI & Dave’s As Yet Untitled

Deirdre O’Kane is one of Ireland’s most versatile and celebrated performers, with a career that seamlessly spans stand-up, television, and film. A household name on the Irish comedy scene, she continues to captivate audiences with her sharp wit, natural storytelling, and undeniable stage presence. Her stand-up success has been remarkable, with major shows including The Deirdre O’Kane Show on Sky Comedy and Deirdre O’Kane Talks Funny on RTÉ One, where she has established herself as one of the most prominent voices in Irish comedy. She also fronted the hit series Last One Laughing Ireland on Amazon Prime, which brought together top comedic talent in a unique format. O’Kane’s current live tour, O’Kaning It, sees her perform across Ireland and the UK, reaffirming her status as one of the most engaging live comics of her generation.

Beyond stand-up, Deirdre has made her mark as a television host and personality. She was a judge on The Big Deal (Virgin Media Television, Fox-developed) and has hosted some of Ireland’s biggest televised events, including RTÉ Does Comic Relief and the prestigious IFTA Film & Drama Awards, broadcast on RTÉ and Virgin Media. Her warmth and humour made her a finalist on Dancing with the Stars, and she has charmed audiences as the narrator of Gogglebox Ireland. On the acting side, she has appeared in international and Irish productions, including Younger (TV Land, US), Moone Boy (Sky), and the cult classic Paths to Freedom. Other credits include The Clinic, Fergus’s Wedding, The Fitz, and Bittersweet.

Her film career is equally distinguished. Deirdre won the IFTA Award for Best Lead Actress in 2015 for her powerful performance in Noble (2014), directed by Stephen Bradley. She also starred in Festival (Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning feature), Intermission directed by John Crowley, Killing Bono directed by Nick Hamm, and Dollhouse directed by Kirsten Sheridan. These roles showcased her ability to move effortlessly between drama and comedy.

Charity Work:

A natural entertainer, Deirdre has also made a huge impact through charity work. She co-founded Comic Relief in Ireland and presented RTÉ Does Comic Relief, which raised over €6 million during the pandemic and was watched by more than 1.4 million viewers. She has hosted the prestigious Irish Film & Drama Awards and reached the finals of Dancing With The Stars, showing her broad appeal across entertainment.

Deirdre’s Work Today:

Despite her television success, Deirdre always returns to stand-up, with her latest show, O’Kaning It, now touring across Ireland and the UK, delivering a fresh hour of hilarious, unmissable comedy. Whether commanding a theatre, hosting a live awards ceremony, or captivating viewers on television, Deirdre O’Kane brings humour, intelligence and heart to everything she does. It is this rare combination that makes her one of Ireland’s most popular comedians and event hosts.

Testimonials:

“Unique star quality” – The Guardian

“When she exits, applause follows her all the way down the street” – The Scotsman

“O’Kane is an instantly charismatic stage presence, and her brand of day-to-day anarchism stormed the place” – Three Weeks

To book Deirdre O’Kane to perform comedy or as an event host, contact SpeakOut today! Click on the Enquire Now button to begin the booking process.

• Comedians