During my undergraduate studies, I studied for a summer at The Abbey Theatre. While there, I met the wonderful Mr. Trellis, who allowed me to improvise and do standup with their troupe for several shows around Dublin.
This was in fact the very first money I ever made performing comedy.
Alas I did not keep in touch with the hospitable quartet, but all four are huge in the Irish comedy scene today:
Dermot Carmody
Ardal O’Hanlon
Barry Murphy
Kevin Gildea
In a related non-theater anecdote I can’t help but share here:
During this summer workshop, two friends (both named Dave) and I decided we’d hitchhike from Dublin to Galway and back. Completely lost somewhere near Athlone, we got picked up by a dude who, it turned out, was Barry Murphy’s roommate in college!
The coincidence floored the three Americans, but the driver seemed unfazed, as did Mr. Murphy upon hearing the story.
Everyone in Ireland really does know each other!