Joe’s character in Father Ted, a delinquent young priest called Father Damo who leads the impressionable Fr Dougal astray was a comic creation which will stay in the public psyche.

However it has been several years since Joe played that role and he has travelled far and wide since then. The Dublin comedian (see note) is rightly proud of Father Damo’s lasting success. Although scripted, Joe brought a lot of character to the role, proving his knack for comic timing in front of a television audience of millions.

Joe started his comedy career in Ireland as half of The Quacksquad, a comedy that went on to write and perform on Nighthawks and The Late Late Show. From there Joe went it alone, earning more TV appearances on the likes of The Lounge, Don’t Feed The Gondolas, Empire Laughs Back and as part of one of TV3s first programmes Messers Tylac & Rooney.

The continued popularity of Father Ted prompted Joe and fellow Ted refugee Patrick McDonnell (alias grannies-favourite Eoin McLove) to put together Further Ted a show full of wacky sketches and a nod to their sitcom success.

Joe and Patrick brought Further Ted to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1999 where it earned five stars from “The Scotsman” newspaper and sold-out its week-long run.

Now back on the solo stand-up circuit, Joe is out to prove, as if further proof was needed, that he can be a funny individual.

During his dangerously funny show, Joe will entertain you with comical observations on topics that range from growing up on a farm to parenthood to thongs.

'Very physical, totally unorthodox, and with a style so bizarre. Rooney is a refreshing change.'
The Sunday Times

'I'm still laughing at the thought of Fr. Damien (Damo) Lennon, the gurrier curate who lead Fr. Dougal astray. He was an inspired invention and was brilliantly played by Joe Rooney.' Sunday Independent

'Joe Rooney is quickly climbing the ladder towards stardom as a stand-up comedian in his own right his fresh and original act, which included a clever rap parody on popular nursery rhymes, went down a bomb'. Waterford News & Star

'Rooney is very funny, but it is with his guitar in his hands that he becomes unmissable, his impressions of seventies rockers singing nursery rhymes brings tears to the eyes'
The Stage

'The highlight has to be chat show king Scully, brought to life by the perennially under-used Joe Rooney' The Irish Times

Editors note: A correspondent has informed us that Joe is not from Dublin. He writes, 'Joe Rooney is from County Meath, Balrath, Kentstown, near Duleek.'

If anyone can verify this, please get in touch.