light the candles

im 21 today, and i feel no different. on paper, im now a fully fledged adult fending (almost) completely for myself, living in a beautiful city centre apartment, working several cool jobs and following his ultimate goal of becoming a professional, working stand up comedian.

but i suppose im not gonna magically feel older on the day so im looking over my life in the last year.

the biggest change this year, has without a doubt been moving out... im so lucky to have done so with the amazing lads that are kevin fitzpatrick and sean regan, the boys are fucking fantastic.
the buzz and positive vibes ive felt in that apartment since we moved in back in june are second to none, and i think over those past months, all three of us have developed as people so much its ridiculous, ive learnt so much from you both lads, and i cant thank you enough.

i feel as if ive got life sorted, and even though its taken 21 years to the day to get this far, i feel fantastic... the last year has been an interesting one for me... i suppose the second biggest change in my life in the last year happened directly after seeing adam hills at the kilkenny cat laughs and realising that nothing on earth would give me greater joy than being that man.

not adam hills obviously. cool guy, but i like having both my legs.

that man who can make a crowd laugh, feel fantastic, at ease and welcome. make everyone in the room friends for however long hes on stage for. thats an amazing thing.

ive met some amazing people along the comedic road, so i suppose its only fair to give a few shout outs... in no particular order.

Aidan Killian, this guy gave me my start in comedy, got me my first gigs and is still giving me gigs today, ive learnt a lot off him in terms of comedy and mc'ing and im glad to be able to call this man a friend. also, the club he runs, laugh out loud, which is in anseo on a wednesday is fantastic, and you should check it out!

David Reilly, dude, what can i say... myself and Davey started comedy within a few days of each other and we've been gigging a lot since, we did the cat laughs together, the leitrim laughs together, and we're bound to gig together a hell of a lot in the future. when i first met dave he was a shy, withdrawn dude who was afraid of talking to new people and going out of his comfort zone. they say the most important thing about the destination is the journey you undertake to get there and i can say that regardless of daveys destination in comedy, the journey has changed him in an amazing way in just a year... congrats buddy.

Gerry Mcbride, this guy is fucking funny. and not only that, he is exceptionally sound. i cant say a bad word about Gerry. except maybe his tshirts are a bit tight...
Gerry is one of the main reasons i started a blog, having read his confessions of a joker blog last year and now reading his new blog, "no punchlines ". an amazing comedian, a great friend and a pretty inspiring guy all around. GWAN GERRY!

Andrew Stanley and Fred Cooke, Andrew runs the mish mash on a tuesday, which he co-hosts with Fred. now, to anyone who has seen them, i think you'll agree they are ridiculously funny, cool and easy going guys. my first time on the stage of the inter was in the mish mash, and im in there pretty regularly now, and its one of my favourite gigs to do. always a big crowd, always a great laugh, and i always look forward to appearing there. go to the mish mash!

Jarlath Regan.... what a ridiculously sound guy. the biggest gentleman in comedy, and always good for practical sound advice. also, get smart is one of the funniest bits of comedy ive seen in a long long time. thanks for everything Jar!

Aidan and Des Bishop... i remember seeing Des doing his immersion sketch ten years ago or so on the late late show and laughing like only an eleven year old can, even though i didnt really know what an immersion was at that stage. after my first show in the aidan and des's night in the inter, which des was at, he gave me some fantastic advice which has spurred me on and pushed me to gig more and more, write more and more and develop myself as a comedian a lot, wasnt much, but it went a long way.
Aidan is also a great guy, resident mc of the international, and another comedian who i respect a lot. when i was starting to do comedy people would ask if i was doing the international, and now i can say that i am. thanks Aidan for everything.

Comedy Ireland, these guys let me run my own night in the twisted pepper, street justice which has been a bangin' success so far. we get great crowds in, great comedians in and i dont think ive ever seen anyone die in there. not badly anyway.
Comedy ireland gave me the chance to perform at the kilkenny cat laughs also which, i suppose caused this whole comedy bug to take me over!

to all the people ive gigged with, the vast majority of you are awesome, its a pleasure to share the stage with you. to all the promoters who have given me gigs. thank you. Damo Clarke, thanks for shouting street justice every time i see you. and most of all... audiences, thank you for laughing. you make me do what i do.

twenty one years old... its been an interesting year indeed. Girl drama a'plenty. fuck all boy drama. no injuries. some fantastic trips.. paddy, lets make edinburgh happen again soon. James, lets get a trip on anywhere soon and spread the ESE love worldwide.

to my main boys;

James Brady
Sean Regan
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Patrick Kiernan
Sean Walsh
Oscar Lyons

you are all beyond chieftans, thanks for making this last year the best one of my life. ive learnt a lot from you all and theres a long way yet to go.

to my girls;

Catherine
Finola (and by extension Godot)
Caoimhe
Liaden
Mary
Clara
Laura c
Muir
Emilia
Anna c

you guys are all amazing, proving that not all girls are in the world are either bent, psychos, clingers or generally crap people. more guys should know you all, you could change the world if you all worked together.

and lastly.. my parents. without the two of you meeting in doheny and nesbitts all those years ago, there would be no me writing this right now. thanks for bringing me up to be the man i am today, thanks for your continued support in what ever i do, thanks for the love, the care, the shoulders to cry on over the years. the clothes, the food, the shelter, the fights, the holidays and everything else.

i cant even find the words to thank you enough.


so at 11:34 pm tonight... i will be 21 years old. a far cry from the little screaming bundle i was all those years ago.
i just hope the next 21 years are even a fraction as good as the last.


all limits are self imposed, youre all amazing and i love you all.


Thank you.

Marcus.