Ardal O’Hanlon, with Kevin Gildea and Barry Murphy, O'Hanlon, founded the International Comedy Cellar, credited for having fueled the nascent comedy scene in Dublin. Soon after, he became a presenter on The Stand Up Show and won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year and b competition in 1994.

Ardal went on to play Father Dougal McGuire in the popular Irish series Father Ted, earning him the Top TV Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards for this role. From this opportunity, he has worked in several comedic and serious roles in television, film, and theatre including Comic Relief, Big Bad World, My Hero, Blessed, Dr. Who, God of Carnage (at the Gate Theatre), and Derry Girls. And, if that isn’t enough, he authored the popular Knick Knack Paddy Whack.

Recently O’Hanlon spent several seasons as DI Jack Mooney in the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise.