Press Release May 2008

Leaving A Legacy For Laughter

Dermot Morgan Foundation hosts Benefit Gig
An Audience Without Dermot Morgan
Monday, 9th June 2008, Vicar Street, Dublin

An Audience Without Dermot Morgan, a fundraising event to provide an annual bursary to emerging Irish comedy writers, will be hosted by the Dermot Morgan Foundation at Vicar Street, Dublin on Monday, 9th June at 8 pm. The evening will mark the official launch of the Foundation which has been established in recognition of Dermot Morgan’s legacy to Irish comedy.

A fantastic line-up of our much loved comedians such as Ardal O’Hanlon, Barry Murphy, Kevin Gildea, Joe Rooney ('Fr. Damo'), Paul Tylak, Michael Redmond ('Fr. Stone') and Dermot Carmody / Morgan Jones (aka The Dermot Morgans on the night!) will participate in An Audience Without Dermot Morgan. Musical acts will feature members of Kíla, Chris De Burgh, Barry Devlin and Shay Healy, as well as other special guests.

Dermot Morgan, who died just over 10 years ago, was a pioneer of Irish comedy at a time when it was a lonely, difficult road to travel.  His skills as a writer, stand-up and actor have been well documented but he was also generous with his time and practical help to younger up-and-coming talent.

Commenting on the setting up of the Foundation, Dermot's son, Bobby Morgan said: "It's so hard to get started in comedy, as indeed in all manner of producing art.  The Dermot Morgan Foundation, will be pioneering, providing the support for young writers to have the time and space to develop their work - a useful weapon against the wolves at the comedian's door"

The Dermot Morgan Foundation, unveiled in Galway during the week-long TedFest and on the 10th anniversary of the comedian's sudden death, will give bursaries to help emerging talent. Fiona Clarke, Morgan's partner before he died one day after filming the last episode of Father Ted, said he would have been delighted with the foundation. "He knew all too well the struggle of trying to write, work and feed a family," she said. "I hope that this bursary will give someone that financial boost that can sometimes make all the difference."

Since the end of the 1970s Morgan was known for his satire on Irish radio and television of the country's political, business and media establishment. He then found international fame for his role of Fr Ted Crilly of the fictional Craggy Island on the Channel 4 series.

Bobby Morgan, his son, said he hoped the foundation would allow other comedians to follow in his father's footsteps in his lampooning of those in power. "I certainly think he'd encourage people to go the satirical route, not to let the establishment off the hook," he said.

Details of the Dermot Morgan Comedy Bursary will be announced by the Foundation on the night and all proceeds from An Audience Without Dermot Morgan will go towards the bursary.

Ticket Price: €35.00
Booking No: Tel: 0818719390
Online Booking: www.ticketmaster.com or vicarstreet.com

Further press information from:
Kate or Mary, Kate Bowe PR
Tel: 01 671 3672
Email: kate@katebowepr.ie / mary@katebowepr.ie