Conor Ryan

Rúla Búla

Comedy EN ↓ 7 episodes

In this new podcast, we’re going to explore the history of Irish comedy. Today the Irish are famous for their sense of humour. From Father Ted, to Derry Girls, laughter has become one of our biggest exports. But there was once a time when the Irish were always the butt of the joke...This is the true story of how Ireland became more than just a punchline.

Author

Conor Ryan

Episodes

06 - Sláinte and Mazel Tov 13.05.2026 50:49

Welcome to Rúla Búla! 🇮🇪🎭 Today we’re going to examine the various connections between Irish comedy and Jewish comedy. Plus, Devorah Baum tells us about the role of the outsider in ethnic jokes. This is the true story of how two tribes struggled to overcome all the old stereotypes -- and become more than just a series of punchlines. DISCLAIMER THE ARCHIVAL MATERIAL FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE HAS BE...

05 - All Joking Aside 06.05.2026 19:15

Welcome to Rúla Búla! 🇮🇪🎭 Today we’re going to examine why confessional stories and observational anecdotes have become more popular than short snappy jokes over the last hundred years. Plus, we explore the lives of Frank Fay, Dave Allen, and Sean Hughes. This is the true story of how the Irish oral storytelling tradition changed stand-up comedy all over the world. DISCLAIMER THE ARCHIVAL MATERIA...

04 - Big Jim Larkin and The Little Tramp 29.04.2026 33:15

Welcome to Rúla Búla! 🇮🇪🎭 Today we’re going to learn how a meeting with the man behind the Dublin Lockout may have changed Charlie Chaplin’s politics forever. Plus, we explore the history of the labour movement both down on the streets and up on the big screen. This is the true story of how slapstick and socialism came together in Sing Sing Prison. DISCLAIMER THE ARCHIVAL MATERIAL FEATURED IN THI...

03 - The Pope, The Pythons, and The Censor 22.04.2026 28:42

Welcome to Rúla Búla! 🇮🇪🎭 Today we’re going to examine the censorship of religious satire in Ireland. Plus, we take a look at Dave Allen's sacrilegious strip tease, Dermot Morgan's trendy priest -- and how the Joshua Trio paved the way for Father Ted. This is the true story of how Ireland turned from the Bible to the joke book and found U2 along the way. DISCLAIMER THE ARCHIVAL MATERIAL FEATURED...

02 - The World According to Spike Milligan 15.04.2026 34:59

Welcome to Rúla Búla! 🇮🇪🎭 Today we’re going learn how Spike Milligan influenced both Monty Python and The Beatles. Plus, we take a look at his battles with Peter Sellers, the German army, and his own mental health. This is the true story of one Irishman who changed the world of comedy forever. DISCLAIMER THE ARCHIVAL MATERIAL FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR CRITICAL AND EDUCATIONAL...

01 - No Irish Need Apply 08.04.2026 45:06

Welcome to Rúla Búla! 🇮🇪🎭 Today we’re going to explore the concept of the Irish joke, from Punch Magazine, to Buster Keaton, Bernard Manning, and Hal Roach. Then we learn how the first wave of alternative comedy pushed back against all the old stereotypes and gave birth to a whole new era of modern Irish comedy. Featuring Billy Magra, Kevin McAleer, Michael Redmond, and the late great Dermot Morg...

A History of Irish Comedy 01.04.2026 0:44

Welcome to Rúla Búla! In this new podcast, we’re going to explore the history of Irish comedy. Today the Irish are famous for their sense of humour. From Father Ted, to Derry Girls, laughter has become one of our biggest exports. But there was once a time when the Irish were always the butt of the joke… AVAILABLE ON ALL PLATFORMS 08.04.2026 NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY