Obstinate and stubborn comic back for more

Páraic Breathnach’s comic odyssey through mad, mental Connemara continues when his new show Straight outta Connemara goes on a skirmish into Moycullen, playing at the Forge on Thursday next, May 19.

Páraic is a man of many hats, an actor and director who co-founded Macnas and who is currently manager of Galway Arts Centre. His most recent venture is comedy and he has already featured in the Galway Comedy Festival as well as supporting the Rubberbandits when they played in Galway.

Straight outta Connemara premiered at the Róisín Dubh in March and it was well received by all “except by the natives from west Galway”, according to its creator!

“My satirical ode to turf cutting caused some offence among the sléan-wielding anti environmentalists. Some of those in attendance suggested that the content was so controversial that the show might never be seen in Connemara,” he explains.

“Thankfully Con Dooley of the Forge in Moycullen has offered to host the show and provide the relevant protection!”

This is an English-language version of the show, which was originally in Irish. In it, Páraic tells stories and tales of getting to hell out of Carna and trying cope with the real world of sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and escalators.

From being broke and hungry in a Claddagh bedsit to living it up with Bloody Marys and eggs Benedictine on a deck in Sausalito, he has seen a bit of the world and he’s not shy about painting himself as a hapless victim in episodes of life that always seemed to be beyond his control.

Using the traditional Connemara skills of thickness, stubbornness, and obstinacy, Páraic Breathnach has survived difficult situations on several continents to bring this new show to the comedy stage.

“The show is not suitable for those under 18, card-carrying Catholics, animal-lovers or for generally sensitive souls and persons residing in the 095 phone code region,” according to its creator.

The Moycullen show will commence at 9pm next Thursday, May 19, in The Forge and admission will be €8. There will also be a warm up show in the Róisín Dubh on Wednesday 18 at 9pm.