Derry's biggest ever comedy night for mental health

Hope Comedy Festival features the best of local comics. Never before has there been a full showcase for purely North West comedy talent on this scale, performing to raise much-needed funds for local mental-health charities. This stellar lineup promises laughs for a great cause. All proceeds support citywide mental health services. 

Eight days of amazing events in stellar venues across the city from November 6 - November 16 2024, hosting comedy of every hue, from Saturday afternoon at the Sandwich company to Comedy at The Cosh. Culminating in the biggest night of local comedy at the Millennium Forum on 11th November at 7.30pm.

The festival is the brainchild of Danny Quigley, lifestyle coach and community advocate from Derry. He's committed to helping people reach their potential through physical activity, mental health support, and community-based initiatives.

Known for his passionate approach, Danny has spearheaded projects like the Hope Comedy Festival, the Celebration of Life, and 10 ironman in 10 days fundraiser with all proceeds going to local mental health services.

Through each of these efforts, Danny aims to create a supportive, uplifting environment where everyone can grow, connect, and improve their wellbeing. He hopes that the comedy festival will create smiles and laughter in the difficult weeks following Halloween.

Danny was awarded Freedom of the City in 2022 in recognition for his raising over £130,000 for charity.

The festival features the talents of:

FINTAN HARVEY - Main support act for Serena Terry (MammyBanter) in her sold out SSE Arena gig, and has supported Paddy Raff and Colin Murphy on tour, as well as performing in clubs across the country. His hilarious storytelling and quick wit makes him one of the most popular comedians on the circuit right now. 

Fintan is the author of comedy novel Mickey Doc, and co-host of Derry podcast- Mind the time.

RONAN BOYLE is best known for his stand-up, play - Orange is the new Green and online viral videos. He is co-host of the cult ‘The Big Massive Podcast’, and is co-host of ‘Driving Home with Fintan and Ro’ at radio station Drive 105. One of the fastest growing comics in the North of Ireland. 

"There are people you’re supposed to meet in your life…and Ronan Boyle is one of mine” Micky Bartlett

MAKEYUPPERS are Sorcha Shanahan and Gemma Walker-Farren, an original comedy storytelling act. They use their skills as performers, facilitators and theatre makers to create dynamic and involving storytelling. They aim to engage their audiences in experiences that are multi-layered, highly enjoyable and beautifully simple.Their work is hugely diverse and ever changing but always rooted in a mutual desire to create meaningful work through play. They are 'Serious Eejits'. 

LEEANN TOLAND is a Donegal native and long time Derry inhabitant, Leeann could best be described as tired, so very tired. She was a finalist in Show Me the Funny Ireland-wide comedy competition and was a semi-finalist in the long running UK-wide So You Think You're Funny.

Leeann regularly performs at Chicken Box Comedy in Derry and has gigged from Dublin to Belfast and Edinburgh to Tokyo. In 2024 she performed her first Solo Show, ‘Thranifesto’ across Ireland.

JOSEPH CARLIN is a Derry-based performer, event MC and presenter. His previous shows have included Work, Play, The Mouth of Christmas, which he delivered in the iconic St Columb's Hall last December, and opening for comedy superstar Serena Terry - aka Mammy Banter - for her sold out homecoming show this summer. He is currently working on some pop up tour and a birthday party.

MAX RODDY has had a massive year with his first solo show in Waterside Theatre in June to his debut in Hot Water Comedy Club Liverpool. He has been leaving his mark with his infectious high energy performances that have left audiences laughing and begging for more.

ADAM LAUGHLIN is renowned for his hilarious skits and short stories and a flair for character-driven humour. Adam brings a unique blend of creativity and originality to the stage. In 2024 he brought his hugely successful A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT to Belfast’s Accidental Theatre, his three hour comedy performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth in a Derry accent.

RORY MCSWIGGAN is a great believer in his own and other people’s stupidity. 

He has delivered naive surrealism to audiences for over 20 years in street theatre, stand-up and improv. He has gigged across the UK and Ireland and hosts the Chortle and Helen Harris award winning Chicken Box Comedy, Derry's only weekly comedy club, in Bennigans Bar since 2018.

PETER E DAVIDSON is the regular MC at 'Laughs@TheLoft' comedy club in Derry. He has been a guest on BBC Radio Ulster's  'The Blame Game' and 'Live At The Sunflower With Shane Todd.' He has performed five solo runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As a writer Peter has written sketches for BBC NI, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 4 Extra as well as had having a sitcom in development at Radio 4. He was selected for the prestigious BBC Comedy Writersroom programme in 2020.

DARREN MCCAY - Comforts and disturbs with his hilarious stories of growing up in Derry in the 70s and 80s. His decades of serving the people of Derry from behind a protective glass window gave him enough material for his first full length show, “Ye Canny Make Me” in 2024. 

CHECK OUT: MacD on Music

BOBBY BEST is a hilariously acerbic observer of Northern Irish life and a committed Nerd. He’s the Team captain in Sci-Fi quiz “Nuke it from Orbit" and His full length show, Battlestar Metallica played to a packed Derry Playhouse. He was a finalist in the all-Ireland Craic Attack comedy search and also can regularly be heard talking all things nerdy on the 2D podcast. 

Tickets are available HERE for a night of local comedy at the Millennium Forum on November 11 at 7.30pm.