Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things Dara O Briain
Apr 1, 2026
Dara O Briain, Irish stand-up comic and TV presenter known for Mock the Week, shares funny anecdotes and personal favourites. He talks touring tales and venue bragging. He explains his love of fountain pens and handwritten notes. He recalls debating leading to comedy and describes his night-time writing bursts, dancefloor cues and multilingual gig plans.
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Vicar Street Is Dara's Local Premier League
- Dara has performed Vicar Street in Dublin over 250 times and treats it like a local 'Premier League' he can brag about at home.
- He values the intimacy and repeated experiences there more than chasing bigger rooms.
Why Dara Swears By Fountain Pens
- Dara O Briain prefers fountain pens because their slight friction slows his handwriting and makes it look more elegant.
- He buys higher-end brands like Waterman, uses cartridges carefully, and says fountain pens help him slow down and organize thoughts when writing show notes and books.
Debating Built Dara's Comedy Engine
- Dara's debating background at university directly trained him to produce weekly routines and turn material over quickly.
- He compared debate record-secretary duties to doing a gag-filled routine every week, which eased his transition into stand-up.