A qa with comedian tommy tiernan

Tommy Tiernan brings 'Out Of The Whirlwind - The Shannon Tour' to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone tonight (Thursday).

We interviewed the comedian ahead of the gig:

* First Athlone memory?
Sitting in class in the school by the Crescent, hanging out with Charlie Green and Dan Kelly. Shooting pool in Pat’s Bar above the joke shop.

* When did you first realise you were funny?
In 1st year in secondary in Navan, I cracked a gag about an ad on telly and the teacher laughed.

* Describe your new show in three words?
Panic and Attack.

* Inspiration for the show?
Getting older and more mischievous, still loving laughter.

* Most memorable gig?
I had great fun last week in London with Eleanor Tiernan from the Hill of Berries.

* Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Find a space in your head, run into it and keep running.

* Comedy hero?
Billy Connolly.

* Best and worst things about Athlone?
I love the lake, chips from the Genoa, Auburn Villas, coffee in the Radisson. Not too fond of traffic wardens.

* Three things you can’t live without?
Kilmartin's Service Station.......Jameson Whiskey....... Cats

* If you were Taoiseach for one day name one thing you would change?
I’d ban school and traffic wardens.

* Favourite switch off after work?
Watching any sport on telly that has grass in it.

* Last music you listened to and liked?
The Bob Dylan album ‘Tempest’.

* Favourite TV Show?
The Angelus.

* Favourite holiday destination?
Inis Oirr

* Biggest thrill in life so far?
Go-cart racing with Fred Cooke last Friday.

* Tickets for Tommy Tiernan's show in the Radisson Hotel, Athlone, tonight cost €28 (inc booking fee ) and are available at the venue and at: www.ticketmaster.ie