08/06/2026
For an Irish kid born in Hendon, north London, with the wrong accent, in my case English, Iโve spent my whole life wondering what it is to be Irish? What if I went to more GAA matches? Did more Irish dancing classes? Would I get to be more Irish? What about Dad singing rebel songs? Or mum crying her eyes out when the Pope finally touched down in Knock. Or Sister Benedict at St Michaelโs warning us about the dangers of boys and impure thoughts and how we all had to pray harder to the Baby Jesus? Didnโt all our Irishness, even in England, count? We always knew we werenโt really English - we never stood up for God Save the Queen. And Iโm not standing up for Charlie boy either. But even after I moved back Home to Ireland, I always dreaded those laboured encounters in Dunneโs or at the school gate.
โOh, you canโt be from around here not with an accent like that?โ
โEnjoying your holiday?โ
When I have lived in Ireland for 35 years!
I just got sick of it. Sick of apologising for being Irish but not Irish-born. For being part of the Great Second Generation Irish Tribe who are scattered across the face of the Earth because our parents had to leave Home to survive.
Something inside me snapped. No! I might not be Irish enough for some folks, but I am all Irish enough for me and my tribe. Just like you. I donโt need to prove my Irishness to anyone.
And that is why I wrote my one-woman show AM I IRISH YET? to give voice to the millions of our lost Tribe. AM I IRISH YET? is laugh out loud. But a lot of people say the Show is also speaking for them for the first time, boldly and defiantly reclaiming what is ours by birthright - our Irishness.
The reaction has been overwhelming. Thousands upon thousands have bought tickets and come to the show. Venues are full, shows are selling out.
I am coming back to my London Home, The Claddagh Ring for just four shows September 26th โ 28th. I do hope you can join me and celebrate our Irishness together.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/am-i-irish-yet