Jason Byrne: Unblocked

Dublin comedian renowned for energetic and imaginative stand-up

Irish comedian Jason Byrne has earned a reputation for upbeat, energetic comedy shows with a liberal use of props and mostly willing audience participation.

Raised in Ballinteer in Dublin, Byrne made his big break in stand-up in 1996 when he was a runner-up to fellow countryman Tommy Tiernan in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s So You Think You’re Funny competition. He followed that up with a nomination for Perrier’s Best Newcomer Award in 1998. Another Perrier nomination followed in 2001 for his self-titled stand-up show.

In between regular touring, Byrne has appeared in Father Ted (refereeing the annual priest’s 5-a-side game), acclaimed Irish crime dramas I Went Down and The General and as a host on Ireland’s Got Talent. He also wrote the children’s book The Accidental Adventures Of Onion O’Brien, inspired by a childhood encounter with an elephant.

In 2021, Jason Byrne announced his Audience Precipitation tour, set to bring “a light drizzle of audience participation” to venues all around the UK.

A year later, the comedian announced his Unblocked tour which he described as “colonically irrigated and readied up for us all”.