John O’Keeffe: Irish Comedian on Fringe Shows, Bombing in Bray & Surviving Himself

Interview: John O’Keeffe – The Irish Comedian Turning Chaos into Comedy Gold

From Limerick roots to the heart of Dublin’s comedy scene, John O’Keeffe has built a reputation for brutally honest, self-deprecating storytelling and sharp wit that cuts through the noise. With two shows heading to the Edinburgh Fringe — a solo hour "Surviving Myself" and the buzzworthy "Me and Someone Famous" — we caught up with O’Keeffe to talk bombing in Bray, selling out in Munich, riffing at the Fringe, and why every comedian needs to master marketing as much as the mic.

Written By Michael Porter

Let’s kick off – who are you and where are you from?

John O’Keeffe, originally from Limerick and now living in Dublin.

What first got you into comedy?

Was it a moment, a meltdown, or just madness?

Did a gig and got hooked. It’s a drug I didn’t know I wanted.

Who were your early comedy influences – the people who made you think, ‘I can do this’?Billy Connolly was my first influence, and still one of my favourites today. I never actually thought I could do comedy—I just kind of fell into it and realised it wasn’t as terrifying as it seems from the outside.

Describe your first gig – how bad was it? Or were you one of those annoying naturals?

First gig was not great!

I did a set with a lot of shock-value jokes and it got a tepid response, but some jokes landed, and that was enough to keep me going. I had this adrenaline high that’s hard to describe.

What’s been your best gig moment so far – the one that reminded you why you do this?

I sold out my own show in Munich, and ended up opening for myself—doing the entire show—and it went great.

It felt like the culmination of a lot of hard work. At the Fringe, I’ve had solo shows that were so good I didn’t want them to end. Those gigs always feel special. You realise this is what makes comedy great: doing your own show, people turning up, enjoying it, and sharing that moment together.

And your worst? The one you still wake up sweating about?

There’s a few to choose from! One that haunts me was a gig in Bray a couple of years ago. The crowd were good, the acts before me did fine, and I’d been doing well all week. Then I did my usual set to silence. Hardly anyone laughed. It was a humbling experience. Deirdre O’Kane, who was headlining, went on after me. I was mortified. But to her credit, she gave me a cheeky wink before going on—like, “Don’t worry about it, you’ll be grand, this happens to us all.” That made me feel a lot better.

How would you describe your style of comedy for someone who’s never seen you before?

Self-deprecating, storytelling comedy. I take the piss out of myself, and then others. But because I go after myself first, I think people know there’s no malice.

What’s your writing process like – notes on your phone, full scripts, or winging it on stage?

It’s a bit of everything—very chaotic, like me. I use audio recordings, write on my laptop, jot notes on my phone, scribble on paper, and sometimes riff on stage. At the Fringe Festival, I mostly riff because I don’t have the headspace to write in any other way during those few weeks.

Do you think comedy is changing? Are things getting too safe or too sensitive?

I don’t think it’s swinging too much one way or the other. You just need to do material that suits you and your perspective—something the audience is comfortable laughing at coming from you. If you’re doing sex jokes to a crowd of 70-year-olds, you’re going to have a harder time than with a room full of 20-somethings.

What’s the biggest challenge comedians are facing right now?

Financially, I still think comedians are underpaid for the skill and work involved. Plus, we’ve had to learn loads of extra skills—social media, marketing, editing—all to grow an audience. But that can sap the time and energy we need most for writing and performing. A lot of your day ends up being admin, which drains your focus.

Tell us about your Edinburgh Fringe show – what’s it called, what’s it about, and why should people come see it?

I’ve got a new show called “John O’Keeffe: Surviving Myself”. It’s on every day at 8:20pm in The Apex Hotel, Grassmarket. I’m also doing a split show each day called “Me and Someone Famous”—the idea is I bring a surprise well-known comedian every day, and I host or warm up the room in the first half. That one’s at 1:30pm every day in The Beehive, also in Grassmarket (across from The Apex).

Finally – where can people find you online or in the pub afterwards?

Instagram is @johnokeeffecomedy, give us a follow—it helps the ego! And during August, I’ll be in Edinburgh, probably in a pub after my solo show with a few other Irish comedians, sharing the highs and lows of the day. There’s no experience quite like Edinburgh in August.

John will be performing his solo show Live at the Comedy Cellar on the 30th July book tickets here

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