Comedy connoisseurs spoilt for choice as Electric Picnic reveals star-studded comedy lineup

Electric Picnic revellers are set to wear a smile for three days after organisers unveiled some of the biggest names in the comedy business to delight your mind, tickle your ribs and leave you smiling from ear to ear over the festival weekend.

Of course, a comedy circus like this needs a ringmaster and who better to act as MC and host for the weekend than the loveable rogue that is Karl Spain.

Headlining on Saturday is one of the most beloved and respected comedians in the world, Russell Howard. With over 9 million followers on social media, he is the undoubted, uplifting comedy king. 

And if that wasn’t enough, your headliner on Sunday is none other than the effortlessly sublime Katherine Ryan, known for her sharp wit, self-deprecating humour and fearless opinions, Katherine tackles topics such as feminism, motherhood, dating and celebrity culture. 

Leading the strong home charge is one of the world’s best-loved stand-up comedians, Ardal O’Hanlon. Despite all his TV and acting credits, he continues to tour with his punchy but absurd comedy worldwide while trying to preserve his dignity by avoiding panel and reality TV shows.

Ireland’s sweetheart Deirdre O’Kane has a huge list of acting credits, but she has never strayed too far from her live stand-up roots and is an instantly charismatic stage presence who dazzles the audience from start to finish.

Creator and host of the multi-award-winning Irishman Abroad Podcast, Jarlath Regan, and online star Emma Doran are sure to draw a crowd. Mayo man Garron Noone, a prime example of how social media can transform your life overnight, and Enya Martin, who rose to fame with her Giz A Laugh sketches on social media, are guaranteed to be a barrel of laughs.

Comedy fans the length and breadth of the country will be well up-to-speed on the bona fides of stalwarts like Eric Lalor, Bernard Casey, Kevin McGahern, Patrick McDonnell, Fred Cooke, Shane Clifford, John Colleary, Paul Marsh, Fred Cooke, Damian Clark, Anna Clifford and the outrageous Joe Dowlin.

Two of Northern Ireland’s biggest comics, Diona O’Doherty and Paddy McDonnell, will make the cross-border trek for the weekend. 

BAFTA-winning comic, Iain Stirling, best known as the brilliantly funny voice of the hit reality show Love Island. At his best, the Edinburgh native is an unhinged free-form anecdotal fest. Along with his life partner Laura Whitmore, their award-winning podcast Partners in Crime chronicles the most infamous and bizarre cases in true crime history. 

Completing the overseas invasion is Maisie Adam, who is fast on her way from being one of the brightest stars of the UK comedy scene to becoming a household name. 

The Comedy Stage at Electric Picnic has a long and storied tradition of breaking new and exciting talent from the circuit and those making their EP debut after careful and considered curation are Sofia Wren, Michael Sable, Stephen Ryan, Sharon Mannion, Aoife Dunne, John Doran, Ali Fox and social media sensation Peter McGann.

The Comedy Stage opens at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 and runs until 9pm each day.