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{{short description|Irish comedian and actor (born 1965)}}
{{short description|Irish comedian and actor (born 8 October 1965)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image              =  
| image              = Ardal O'Hanlon.png
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
| caption            =  
| caption            = O'Hanlon in 2009
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1965|10|8|df=y}}
| birth_date        = 8 October 1965 (age {{age|1965|10|8}})
| birth_place        = [[Carrickmacross]], [[County Monaghan]], Ireland
| birth_place        = [[Carrickmacross]], [[County Monaghan]], Ireland
| education          = [[Blackrock College]]
| education          = [[Blackrock College]]
| alma_mater        = [[Dublin City University| National Institute for Higher Education Dublin]]
| alma_mater        = [[Dublin City University|National Institute for Higher Education Dublin]]
| occupation        = {{hlist|Actor|comedian}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Actor|comedian}}
| years_active      = 1991–present
| years_active      = 1991–present
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}}
}}


'''Ardal O'Hanlon''' ({{IPAc-en|oʊ|ˈ|h|æ|n|l|ə|n}}; born 8 October 1965) is an Irish comedian, actor, and author. He played [[Father Dougal McGuire]] in ''[[Father Ted]]'' (1995–1998), George Sunday/Thermoman in ''[[My Hero (British TV series)|My Hero]]'' (2000–2006), and DI Jack Mooney in ''[[Death in Paradise ]]'' (2017–2020). He has written two novels ''[[The Talk of the Town (novel)|The Talk of the Town]]'' (1998) and ''Brouhaha'' (2022).
'''Ardal O'Hanlon''' ({{IPAc-en|oʊ|ˈ|h|æ|n|l|ə|n}}; born 1965) is an Irish comedian, actor, and author. He played [[Father Dougal McGuire]] in ''[[Father Ted]]'' (1995–1998), George Sunday/Thermoman in ''[[My Hero (British TV series)|My Hero]]'' (2000–2005), and DI Jack Mooney in ''[[Death in Paradise ]]'' (2017–2020). He has written two novels ''[[The Talk of the Town (novel)|The Talk of the Town]]'' (1998) and ''Brouhaha'' (2022).


==Early life==
==Early life==


O'Hanlon was born in [[Carrickmacross]], [[County Monaghan]],<ref name="Scotsman"/> the son of [[Fianna Fáil]] [[Teachta Dála|TD]] and physician [[Rory O'Hanlon]] and Teresa (née Ward).<ref name="Scotsman">{{cite web |last=Christie |first=Janet |date=11 Nov 2019 |title=Ardal O'Hanlon: I had to distance myself from Father Ted after it finished |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/ardal-ohanlon-i-had-distance-myself-father-ted-after-it-finished-1402708 |access-date=3 June 2020 |website=scotsman.com |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603085909/https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/ardal-ohanlon-i-had-distance-myself-father-ted-after-it-finished-1402708 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the third of six children, and has three brothers and two sisters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Camilla |title=Ardal O'Hanlon: My family values |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/27/ardal-ohanlon-my-family-values |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 December 2013 |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218171838/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/27/ardal-ohanlon-my-family-values |url-status=live }}</ref>  
O'Hanlon was born in [[Carrickmacross]], [[County Monaghan]], the son of [[Fianna Fáil]] [[Teachta Dála|TD]] and physician [[Rory O'Hanlon]] and Teresa (née Ward).<ref name="Scotsman">{{cite web |last=Christie |first=Janet |date=11 Nov 2019 |title=Ardal O'Hanlon: I had to distance myself from Father Ted after it finished |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/ardal-ohanlon-i-had-distance-myself-father-ted-after-it-finished-1402708 |access-date=3 June 2020 |website=scotsman.com |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603085909/https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/ardal-ohanlon-i-had-distance-myself-father-ted-after-it-finished-1402708 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the third of six children and has three brothers and two sisters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Camilla |title=Ardal O'Hanlon: My family values |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/27/ardal-ohanlon-my-family-values |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 December 2013 |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218171838/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/27/ardal-ohanlon-my-family-values |url-status=live }}</ref>


O'Hanlon was schooled in [[Blackrock College]] in [[Dublin]] and graduated, in 1987, from the [[National Institute for Higher Education]], Dublin (now [[Dublin City University]]), with a degree in [[communication studies]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freyne |first=Patrick |title=Ardal O'Hanlon: 'I was always this weird, watchful kind of kid' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/ardal-o-hanlon-i-was-always-this-weird-watchful-kind-of-kid-1.4024884 |access-date=2022-04-18 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220418134226/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/ardal-o-hanlon-i-was-always-this-weird-watchful-kind-of-kid-1.4024884 |url-status=live }}</ref>
O'Hanlon was educated in [[Blackrock College]] in [[Dublin]]. He graduated in 1987 from the [[National Institute for Higher Education]], Dublin, (now [[Dublin City University]]) with a degree in [[communication studies]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freyne |first=Patrick |title=Ardal O'Hanlon: 'I was always this weird, watchful kind of kid' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/ardal-o-hanlon-i-was-always-this-weird-watchful-kind-of-kid-1.4024884 |access-date=2022-04-18 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220418134226/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/ardal-o-hanlon-i-was-always-this-weird-watchful-kind-of-kid-1.4024884 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
{{refimprove section|date=August 2024}}
{{BLP sources section|date=August 2024}}


Together with [[Kevin Gildea]] and [[Barry Murphy (comedian)|Barry Murphy]], O'Hanlon founded the [[International Comedy Cellar]], upstairs in the [[International Bar]] on Dublin's South [[Wicklow Street]].<ref name="Scotsman"/> Dublin had no comedy scene at the time. As a stand up, O'Hanlon won the [[Hackney Empire New Act of the Year]] competition in 1994. For a time he was the presenter of ''The Stand Up Show''.<ref name="Scotsman"/>
With [[Kevin Gildea]] and [[Barry Murphy (comedian)|Barry Murphy]], O'Hanlon founded the [[International Comedy Cellar]], upstairs in the [[International Bar]] on Dublin's South [[Wicklow Street]].<ref name="Scotsman"/> Dublin had no comedy scene at the time. As a stand-up comic, O'Hanlon won the [[Hackney Empire New Act of the Year]] competition in 1994. and was for a time the presenter of ''The Stand Up Show''.<ref name="Scotsman"/>


O'Hanlon was cast as [[Father Dougal McGuire]] in ''[[Father Ted]]'' (1995–1998). During filming, O'Hanlon went to buy shoes. Still being in costume, the seller thought he was a real priest and offered the footwear for free.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ardal O'Hanlon Interview Father Ted Death in Paradise | website=[[YouTube]] | date=18 May 2020 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydNnFh9eyRI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211122/ydNnFh9eyRI| archive-date=2021-11-22 | url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1995 he received the Top TV Comedy Newcomer at the [[British Comedy Awards]] for this role. In 1995, he appeared (as Father Dougal) in a [[Channel 4]] [[Television ident|ident]] ("Hello, you're watching ... television"), and during [[Comic Relief (charity)|Comic Relief]] on BBC1. This was followed by the award-winning short comedy film ''[[Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll]]''. In a 2019 interview, O'Hanlon admitted that he had attempted to distance himself from ''Father Ted'' once the show had finished.<ref name="Scotsman"/>
O'Hanlon was cast as [[Father Dougal McGuire]] in ''[[Father Ted]]'' (1995–1998), which he said was his "first proper job in television".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/comedy/article/ardal-ohanlon-im-baffled-why-graham-linehan-got-into-the-culture-wars-v5sc0jmgs |website=www.tjetimesw.com.culture |title=A Life in the Day |author=John Wright |date=16 November 2025 |access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref> During filming, O'Hanlon went to buy shoes. Still being in costume, the seller thought he was a real priest and offered the footwear for free.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ardal O'Hanlon Interview Father Ted Death in Paradise | website=[[YouTube]] | date=18 May 2020 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydNnFh9eyRI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211122/ydNnFh9eyRI| archive-date=2021-11-22 | url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He and [[Dermot Morgan]] (Father Ted) often did their own stunts, and he recalled that on one occasion they were dragged through a field behind a tractor.<ref name="John Wright">{{cite web |author=John Wright |date=16 November 2025 |title=A Life in the Day |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/comedy/article/ardal-ohanlon-im-baffled-why-graham-linehan-got-into-the-culture-wars-v5sc0jmgs |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=www.tjetimesw.com.culture}}</ref> In 1995 he received the Top TV Comedy Newcomer at the [[British Comedy Awards]] for this role. In 1995, he appeared as Father Dougal in a [[Channel 4]] [[Television ident|ident]] ("Hello, you're watching ... television"), and during [[Comic Relief (charity)|Comic Relief]] on BBC1. This was followed by the award-winning short comedy film ''[[Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll]]''.


O'Hanlon moved into straight acting alongside [[Emma Fielding]] and [[Beth Goddard]] in the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] comedy-drama ''Big Bad World'', which aired for two series in summer 1999 and winter 2001.<ref name="Scotsman"/> He also played a minor role in ''[[The Butcher Boy (1997 film)|The Butcher Boy]]'' as Joe's (Francie's best friend) father, and appeared in an episode of the original ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|Whose Line is it Anyway?]]''.
In a 2019 interview, O'Hanlon said he had attempted to distance himself from ''Father Ted'' once the show had finished.<ref name="Scotsman" /> He moved into straight acting, alongside [[Emma Fielding]] and [[Beth Goddard]], in the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] comedy-drama ''Big Bad World'', which aired for two series in summer 1999 and winter 2001.<ref name="Scotsman"/> He also had a minor role in ''[[The Butcher Boy (1997 film)|The Butcher Boy]]'' as Joe's (Francie's best friend) father, and appeared in an episode of the original ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|Whose Line is it Anyway?]]''. In 2000, O'Hanlon starred in the comedy series ''[[My Hero (British TV series)|My Hero]]'', in which he played a naive superhero from the planet Ultron.<ref name="Scotsman" /> His character juggled world-saving heroics with life in suburbia. He stayed in the role until the first episode of series 6 in July 2006, when he was replaced by [[James Dreyfus]] during the same episode. In September 2001, O'Hanlon appeared on stage alongside [[Moby]] at the [[Slane Festival]] to perform a duet of ''[[A_Song_for_Europe_(Father_Ted)#"My_Lovely_Horse"|My Lovely Horse]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyedge.ie/moby-ardal-ohanlon-3295655-Mar2017/|title=The great story of Moby flying Ardal  into Slane to sing My Lovely Horse|last=Elkin|first=David|date=19 March 2017|work=[[TheJournal.ie#Content|The Daily Edge]]|accessdate=18 May 2026}}</ref>


In 2000, O'Hanlon starred in the comedy series ''[[My Hero (British TV series)|My Hero]]'', in which he played a very naive superhero from the planet Ultron.<ref name="Scotsman"/> His character juggled world-saving heroics with life in suburbia. He stayed in the role until the first episode of series 6 in July 2006, when he was replaced by [[James Dreyfus]] during the same episode.
O'Hanlon provided the voice of the lead character in the three Christmas television cartoon specials of ''[[Robbie the Reindeer]]''. He appeared in the 2005 [[BBC One]] sitcom ''[[Blessed (television)|Blessed]]'', written by [[Ben Elton]], which was publicly slated by [[Jonathan Ross (television presenter)|Jonathan Ross]], albeit in jest, at the 2005 British Comedy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=9783612650702: Talk of the Town. - O'Hanlon, Ardal: 361265070X - AbeBooks |url=https://www.abebooks.com/9783612650702/Talk-Town-OHanlon-Ardal-361265070X/plp |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=www.abebooks.com |language=en |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107050558/https://www.abebooks.com/9783612650702/Talk-Town-OHanlon-Ardal-361265070X/plp |url-status=live }}</ref> Towards the end of 2005, O'Hanlon played an eccentric Scottish character, Coconut Tam, in the family based film, ''[[The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby]]''. In 2015 he appeared on the same channel as incompetent angel Smallbone in the sitcom ''The Best Laid Plans.''


O'Hanlon also provided the voice of the lead character in the three Christmas television cartoon specials of ''[[Robbie the Reindeer]]''. He appeared in the 2005 [[BBC One]] sitcom ''[[Blessed (television)|Blessed]]'', written by [[Ben Elton]]; at the 2005 British Comedy Awards, it was publicly slated by [[Jonathan Ross (television presenter)|Jonathan Ross]], albeit in jest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=9783612650702: Talk of the Town. - O'Hanlon, Ardal: 361265070X - AbeBooks |url=https://www.abebooks.com/9783612650702/Talk-Town-OHanlon-Ardal-361265070X/plp |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=www.abebooks.com |language=en |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107050558/https://www.abebooks.com/9783612650702/Talk-Town-OHanlon-Ardal-361265070X/plp |url-status=live }}</ref> Towards the end of 2005, he played an eccentric Scottish character, Coconut Tam, in the family based film, ''[[The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby]]''. He has also appeared on radio, including an appearance on ''[[Quote... Unquote]]'' on [[BBC Radio 4]] on 18 July 2011. Appropriately, one of his questions concerned a quotation from ''Father Ted''. In 2015, he appeared as incompetent angel Smallbone in the sitcom ''The Best Laid Plans'', on the same channel.
In 2006, O'Hanlon wrote and presented an [[RTÉ]] television series called ''Leagues Apart'', in which he investigated the biggest and most passionate football rivalries in several European countries. Included were Roma vs Lazio in Italy, Barcelona vs Real Madrid in Spain, and Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce in [[Turkey]]. He followed this with another RTÉ show, ''So You Want To Be Taoiseach?'' in 2007, a political series in which he gave tongue-in-cheek advice on how to go about becoming [[Taoiseach]] of Ireland.


In 2006, O'Hanlon wrote and presented an [[RTÉ]] television series called ''Leagues Apart'', which saw him investigate the biggest and most passionate football rivalries in a number of European countries. Included were Roma vs Lazio in Italy, Barcelona vs Real Madrid in Spain, and Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce in [[Turkey]]. He followed this with another RTÉ show, ''So You Want To Be Taoiseach?'' in 2007. It was a political series in which O'Hanlon gave tongue-in-cheek advice on how to go about becoming [[Taoiseach]] of Ireland.
O'Hanlon appeared in a ''[[Doctor Who]]'' episode "[[Gridlock (Doctor Who)|Gridlock]]", broadcast on 14 April 2007, in which he played a catlike creature named Thomas Kincade Brannigan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6478495.stm|title=Fans mad for Doctor's new companion|date=22 March 2007|access-date=3 April 2007|work=BBC News|author=Masters, Tim| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070328182935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6478495.stm| archive-date= 28 March 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> He appeared in series 3 of the TV show ''[[Skins (British TV series)|Skins]]''<ref name="Scotsman" /> playing Kieran, Naomi Campbell ([[Lily Loveless]])'s politics teacher, who attempts to kiss her, and forms a relationship with Naomi's mother ([[Olivia Colman]]). O'Hanlon played the lead role in the Irish comedy television programme ''[[Val Falvey, TD]]'' on [[RTÉ One]]. In February 2011 he returned to the [[Gate Theatre]], Dublin, starring in the Irish premiere of Christopher Hampton's translation of Yasmina Reza's ''[[God of Carnage]]'', alongside [[Maura Tierney]]. Later that year he appeared in the comedy panel show ''[[Argumental]]''. In 2012, he performed in the [[Edinburgh Fringe]]


He appeared in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' episode "[[Gridlock (Doctor Who)|Gridlock]]", broadcast on 14 April 2007, in which he played a catlike creature named Thomas Kincade Brannigan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6478495.stm|title=Fans mad for Doctor's new companion|date=22 March 2007|access-date=3 April 2007|work=BBC News|author=Masters, Tim| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070328182935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6478495.stm| archive-date= 28 March 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> O'Hanlon appears in series 3 of the TV show ''[[Skins (British TV series)|Skins]]'',<ref name="Scotsman"/> playing Naomi Campbell ([[Lily Loveless]])'s politics teacher named Kieran, who attempted to kiss her. He then went on to form a relationship with Naomi's mother ([[Olivia Colman]]). O'Hanlon plays the lead role in Irish comedy television programme ''[[Val Falvey, TD]]'' on [[RTÉ One]]. In 2012, he performed in the [[Edinburgh Fringe]].
O'Hanlon has written a novel, ''[[The Talk of the Town (novel)|The Talk of the Town]]'' (known in the United States as ''Knick Knack Paddy Whack''), which was published in 1998. The novel is about a teenage boy, Patrick Scully, and his friends. His second novel, "Brouhaha", a darkly comic murder mystery set in the Irish border country, was published in 2022. In February 2015 he launched the 2015 Sky [[Cat Laughs]] Comedy Festival, which took place in [[Kilkenny]] from 28 May to 1 June.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2015 |title=Ardal O'Hanlan launches this year's Cats Laughs as the festival comes of age |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/events/ardal-ohanlan-launches-this-years-cats-laughs-as-the-festival-comes-of-age/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228162558/http://evoke.ie/events/ardal-ohanlan-launches-this-years-cats-laughs-as-the-festival-comes-of-age |archive-date=28 Feb 2017}}</ref> In 2015 he played the role of Peter the Milkman in the [[Sky One]] sitcom ''[[After Hours (2015 British TV series)|After Hours]]''. In February 2017 it was announced that he would play the lead role in the BBC crime drama ''[[Death in Paradise]],'' taking the role of DI Jack Mooney following [[Kris Marshall]]'s departure. He announced his intention to leave the series in early 2020 and was replaced by [[Ralf Little]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Katie |date=27 January 2020 |title=Death in Paradise: When is Ralf Little's first episode? |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1232880/Death-In-Paradise-when-Ralf-Little-first-episode-new-inspector-arrive |website=express.co.uk |access-date=27 January 2020 |archive-date=27 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127095828/https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1232880/Death-In-Paradise-when-Ralf-Little-first-episode-new-inspector-arrive |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting in 2024, he has reprised the role in a spin-off series, ''[[Return to Paradise (2024 TV series)|Return to Paradise]]''.


In February 2011, O'Hanlon returned to the [[Gate Theatre]], Dublin starring in the Irish premiere of Christopher Hampton's translation of Yasmina Reza's ''[[God of Carnage]]'', alongside [[Maura Tierney]]. Later that year, he appeared in the comedy panel show ''[[Argumental]]''.
On 25 November 2021, it was announced that O'Hanlon would participate in series 13 of ''[[Taskmaster (TV series)|Taskmaster]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Taskmaster|date = 25 November 2021|title = Taskmaster will return in 2022|number=1463991162075852808 |link = https://twitter.com/taskmaster/status/1463991162075852808}}</ref> He finished in 4th place ahead of [[Judi Love]]. In 2023, he played Uncle Jack in the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]]'s production of ''[[Dancing at Lughnasa]]'' by [[Brian Friel]], alongside [[Siobhan McSweeney]] and [[Tom Vaughan-Lawlor]].<ref name="Nat-the-1">{{cite web |title=Dancing at Lughnasa {{!}} National Theatre |url=https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dancing-at-lughnasa/ |website=www.nationaltheatre.org.uk |access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref> In January 2024 he presented his first Irish language show, ''Inis na nIontas'', on [[TG4]], exploring the islands around the coast of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-12-19 |title=Ardal O'Hanlon to present his first Irish language show |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/1219/1422880-ardal-ohanlon-to-present-his-first-irish-language-show/ |language=en}}</ref> In 2025 he starred in the video for the single ''Invisible Thread'' by [[The Divine Comedy (band)|The Divine Comedy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://originalrock.net/2025/09/03/the-divine-comedy-release-new-single-invisible-thread-music-video-featuring-ardal-ohanlon/|title=The Divine Comedy release new single 'Invisible Thread' + music video featuring Ardal O'Hanlon|date=3 September 2025|website=OriginalRock.net}}</ref>
 
O'Hanlon has written a novel, ''[[The Talk of the Town (novel)|The Talk of the Town]]'' (known in the United States as ''Knick Knack Paddy Whack''), which was published in 1998. The novel is about a teenage boy, Patrick Scully, and his friends. His second novel "Brouhaha", a darkly comic murder mystery set in the Irish border country, was published in 2022.
 
In February 2015, he officially launched the 2015 Sky [[Cat Laughs]] Comedy Festival, which took place in [[Kilkenny]] from 28 May to 1 June.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2015 |title=Ardal O'Hanlan launches this year's Cats Laughs as the festival comes of age |work=evoke.ie |url=http://www.evoke.ie/events/ardal-ohanlan-launches-this-years-cats-laughs-as-the-festival-comes-of-age/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228162558/http://evoke.ie/events/ardal-ohanlan-launches-this-years-cats-laughs-as-the-festival-comes-of-age |archive-date=28 Feb 2017}}</ref> In 2015 he played the role of Peter the Milkman in the [[Sky One]] sitcom ''[[After Hours (2015 British TV series)|After Hours]]''.
 
On 2 February 2017, it was announced he would play the lead role in the BBC crime drama ''[[Death in Paradise]]'' taking the role of DI Jack Mooney following [[Kris Marshall]]'s departure the same day. He announced his intention to leave the series in early 2020 and was replaced by [[Ralf Little]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Katie |date=27 January 2020 |title=Death in Paradise: When is Ralf Little's first episode? |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1232880/Death-In-Paradise-when-Ralf-Little-first-episode-new-inspector-arrive |website=express.co.uk |access-date=27 January 2020 |archive-date=27 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127095828/https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1232880/Death-In-Paradise-when-Ralf-Little-first-episode-new-inspector-arrive |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting in 2024, he has reprised the role in spin-off series ''[[Return to Paradise (2024 TV series)|Return to Paradise]]''.
 
On 25 November 2021, it was announced that he would participate in series 13 of ''[[Taskmaster (TV series)|Taskmaster]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Taskmaster|date = 25 November 2021|title = Taskmaster will return in 2022|number=1463991162075852808 |link = https://twitter.com/taskmaster/status/1463991162075852808}}</ref> He finished in 4th place ahead of [[Judi Love]].
 
In 2023, he played Uncle Jack in the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]]'s production of ''[[Dancing at Lughnasa]]'' by [[Brian Friel]], alongside [[Siobhan McSweeney]] and [[Tom Vaughan-Lawlor]].<ref name="Nat-the-1">{{cite web |title=Dancing at Lughnasa {{!}} National Theatre |url=https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dancing-at-lughnasa/ |website=www.nationaltheatre.org.uk |access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
 
In January 2024, he presented his first Irish language show, ''Inis na nIontas'', on [[TG4]], exploring the islands around the coast of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2023-12-19 |title=Ardal O'Hanlon to present his first Irish language show |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/1219/1422880-ardal-ohanlon-to-present-his-first-irish-language-show/ |language=en}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==


O'Hanlon met his wife Melanie as a teenager. They have three children.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Ciara|title=Ardal O'Hanlon: Stand up for a life well lived|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/ardal-ohanlon-stand-up-for-a-life-well-lived-26851128.html|access-date=11 July 2015|work=Irish Independent|date=7 May 2012|archive-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730021307/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/ardal-ohanlon-stand-up-for-a-life-well-lived-26851128.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He is a supporter of [[Leeds United]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tench|first1=Matt|title=My team: Ardal O'Hanlon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/03/sport.features1|access-date=11 July 2015|work=The Guardian|date=3 August 2003|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204153315/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/03/sport.features1|url-status=live}}</ref>
O'Hanlon met his wife Melanie as a teenager. They have a son who lives in Houston, Texas, and two daughters.<ref name="John Wright"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Ciara|title=Ardal O'Hanlon: Stand up for a life well lived|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/ardal-ohanlon-stand-up-for-a-life-well-lived-26851128.html|access-date=11 July 2015|work=Irish Independent|date=7 May 2012|archive-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730021307/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/ardal-ohanlon-stand-up-for-a-life-well-lived-26851128.html|url-status=live}}</ref> O'Hanlon is a supporter of [[Leeds United]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tench|first1=Matt|title=My team: Ardal O'Hanlon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/03/sport.features1|access-date=11 July 2015|work=The Guardian|date=3 August 2003|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204153315/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/03/sport.features1|url-status=live}}</ref> and is a club tennis player.<ref name="John Wright"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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| Eamonn
| Eamonn
| Series 2; Episode 4: "The Curse" and Series 3; Episode 7: "The Agreement"
| Series 2; Episode 4: "The Curse" and Series 3; Episode 7: "The Agreement"
|-
|2020
|''[[Irish Pickers]]''
|Narrator<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2020 |title=Ardal O'Hanlon joins Irish treasure hunters' new show |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0116/1107790-ardal-ohanlon-joins-irish-treasure-hunters-new-show/ |website=rte.ie}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
| 2021
| 2021
| ''[[Would I Lie to You? (British game show)|Would I Lie to You?]]''
| ''[[Would I Lie to You?]]''
| Himself - Panellist
| Himself - Panellist
| Series 15; Christmas Special
| Series 15; Christmas Special
|-
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2022
| rowspan="4" | 2022
| ''[[Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything]]''
| ''[[Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything]]''
| Conall
| Conall
| Series 1; Episodes 1–5
| Series 1; Episodes 1–5
|-
| ''Ardal O'Hanlon: Tomb raider''
| Himself - Presenter
| Documentary<ref>{{cite web | url = https://historyireland.com/ardal-ohanlon-tomb-raider/ | title = Ardal O'Hanlon: Tomb raider | last = Kleinman | first = Sylvie  | year = 2022 | website = [[History Ireland]] | access-date = 2025-10-27 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250618115734/https://historyireland.com/ardal-ohanlon-tomb-raider/ | archive-date = 2025-06-18}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[Taskmaster (TV series)|Taskmaster]]''
| ''[[Taskmaster (TV series)|Taskmaster]]''
Line 304: Line 301:
| Series 9; Episode 9: "[[Chris Bisson]], [[Ruth Madeley]] and Ardal O'Hanlon"
| Series 9; Episode 9: "[[Chris Bisson]], [[Ruth Madeley]] and Ardal O'Hanlon"
|-
|-
| 2024-present
| 2024–present
| ''[[Return to Paradise (2024 TV series)|Return to Paradise]]''
| ''[[Return to Paradise (2024 TV series)|Return to Paradise]]''
| [[Jack Mooney|DI Jack Mooney]]
| [[Jack Mooney|DI Jack Mooney]]
| Episodes: "R.I.P. Tide" and "Oh Mine Papa"
| Episodes: "R.I.P. Tide", "Oh Mine Papa" & “Apex Predator”
|-
|-
| 2024
| 2024
|''[[Richard Osman's House of Games]]''
|''[[House of Games|Richard Osman's House of Games]]''
| Himself - Contestant
| Himself - Contestant
| Series 8; Episodes 51–55 (Week 11)
| Series 8; Episodes 51–55 (Week 11)
Line 317: Line 314:
|''[[Sherlock & Daughter]]''
|''[[Sherlock & Daughter]]''
| Mr. Halligan
| Mr. Halligan
| Series regular
|-
| 2026
|''[[How to Get to Heaven from Belfast]]''
| Seamus
| Series regular
| Series regular
|}
|}
Line 339: Line 341:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=0641192|name=Ardal O'Hanlon}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0641192|name=Ardal O'Hanlon}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|ardal_ohanlon}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|ardal_ohanlon}}

Latest revision as of 23:07, 24 May 2026

Ardal O'Hanlon
File:Ardal O'Hanlon.png
O'Hanlon in 2009
Born8 October 1965 (age 60)
Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland
EducationBlackrock College
Alma materNational Institute for Higher Education Dublin
Occupation
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1991–present
Spouse(s)Melanie O'Hanlon
Children3
Parent(s)
RelativesPeter Fenelon Collier

Ardal O'Hanlon (/oʊˈhænlən/; born 1965) is an Irish comedian, actor, and author. He played Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted (1995–1998), George Sunday/Thermoman in My Hero (2000–2005), and DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise (2017–2020). He has written two novels The Talk of the Town (1998) and Brouhaha (2022).

Early life

O'Hanlon was born in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, the son of Fianna Fáil TD and physician Rory O'Hanlon and Teresa (née Ward).[1] He is the third of six children and has three brothers and two sisters.[2]

O'Hanlon was educated in Blackrock College in Dublin. He graduated in 1987 from the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, (now Dublin City University) with a degree in communication studies.[3]

Career

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With Kevin Gildea and Barry Murphy, O'Hanlon founded the International Comedy Cellar, upstairs in the International Bar on Dublin's South Wicklow Street.[1] Dublin had no comedy scene at the time. As a stand-up comic, O'Hanlon won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition in 1994. and was for a time the presenter of The Stand Up Show.[1]

O'Hanlon was cast as Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted (1995–1998), which he said was his "first proper job in television".[4] During filming, O'Hanlon went to buy shoes. Still being in costume, the seller thought he was a real priest and offered the footwear for free.[5] He and Dermot Morgan (Father Ted) often did their own stunts, and he recalled that on one occasion they were dragged through a field behind a tractor.[6] In 1995 he received the Top TV Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards for this role. In 1995, he appeared as Father Dougal in a Channel 4 ident ("Hello, you're watching ... television"), and during Comic Relief on BBC1. This was followed by the award-winning short comedy film Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll.

In a 2019 interview, O'Hanlon said he had attempted to distance himself from Father Ted once the show had finished.[1] He moved into straight acting, alongside Emma Fielding and Beth Goddard, in the ITV comedy-drama Big Bad World, which aired for two series in summer 1999 and winter 2001.[1] He also had a minor role in The Butcher Boy as Joe's (Francie's best friend) father, and appeared in an episode of the original Whose Line is it Anyway?. In 2000, O'Hanlon starred in the comedy series My Hero, in which he played a naive superhero from the planet Ultron.[1] His character juggled world-saving heroics with life in suburbia. He stayed in the role until the first episode of series 6 in July 2006, when he was replaced by James Dreyfus during the same episode. In September 2001, O'Hanlon appeared on stage alongside Moby at the Slane Festival to perform a duet of My Lovely Horse.[7]

O'Hanlon provided the voice of the lead character in the three Christmas television cartoon specials of Robbie the Reindeer. He appeared in the 2005 BBC One sitcom Blessed, written by Ben Elton, which was publicly slated by Jonathan Ross, albeit in jest, at the 2005 British Comedy Awards.[8] Towards the end of 2005, O'Hanlon played an eccentric Scottish character, Coconut Tam, in the family based film, The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby. In 2015 he appeared on the same channel as incompetent angel Smallbone in the sitcom The Best Laid Plans.

In 2006, O'Hanlon wrote and presented an RTÉ television series called Leagues Apart, in which he investigated the biggest and most passionate football rivalries in several European countries. Included were Roma vs Lazio in Italy, Barcelona vs Real Madrid in Spain, and Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce in Turkey. He followed this with another RTÉ show, So You Want To Be Taoiseach? in 2007, a political series in which he gave tongue-in-cheek advice on how to go about becoming Taoiseach of Ireland.

O'Hanlon appeared in a Doctor Who episode "Gridlock", broadcast on 14 April 2007, in which he played a catlike creature named Thomas Kincade Brannigan.[9] He appeared in series 3 of the TV show Skins[1] playing Kieran, Naomi Campbell (Lily Loveless)'s politics teacher, who attempts to kiss her, and forms a relationship with Naomi's mother (Olivia Colman). O'Hanlon played the lead role in the Irish comedy television programme Val Falvey, TD on RTÉ One. In February 2011 he returned to the Gate Theatre, Dublin, starring in the Irish premiere of Christopher Hampton's translation of Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage, alongside Maura Tierney. Later that year he appeared in the comedy panel show Argumental. In 2012, he performed in the Edinburgh Fringe

O'Hanlon has written a novel, The Talk of the Town (known in the United States as Knick Knack Paddy Whack), which was published in 1998. The novel is about a teenage boy, Patrick Scully, and his friends. His second novel, "Brouhaha", a darkly comic murder mystery set in the Irish border country, was published in 2022. In February 2015 he launched the 2015 Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, which took place in Kilkenny from 28 May to 1 June.[10] In 2015 he played the role of Peter the Milkman in the Sky One sitcom After Hours. In February 2017 it was announced that he would play the lead role in the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise, taking the role of DI Jack Mooney following Kris Marshall's departure. He announced his intention to leave the series in early 2020 and was replaced by Ralf Little.[11] Starting in 2024, he has reprised the role in a spin-off series, Return to Paradise.

On 25 November 2021, it was announced that O'Hanlon would participate in series 13 of Taskmaster.[12] He finished in 4th place ahead of Judi Love. In 2023, he played Uncle Jack in the National Theatre's production of Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel, alongside Siobhan McSweeney and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.[13] In January 2024 he presented his first Irish language show, Inis na nIontas, on TG4, exploring the islands around the coast of Ireland.[14] In 2025 he starred in the video for the single Invisible Thread by The Divine Comedy.[15]

Personal life

O'Hanlon met his wife Melanie as a teenager. They have a son who lives in Houston, Texas, and two daughters.[6][16] O'Hanlon is a supporter of Leeds United[17] and is a club tennis player.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Moll Flanders Gentleman From East Chiswick
1997 The Butcher Boy Mr. Purcell
1998 Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll Eddie Johnny Short film[18]
2002 Another Bobby O'Hara Story... Bobby O'Hara Short film[19]
2005 The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby Coconut Tam
2007 Blind Eye Immigration Official Short film
2008 Tales of the Riverbank Hammy Hamster (voice) Direct-to-DVD
2009 Wide Open Spaces Myles
2016 Donkeys Derek Short film
Handsome Devil Dan Roche
Twice Shy Brendan O'Meara
2021 Rian McCarthy Short film
2024 My Freaky Family Nerlin Flood
TBA Fran the Man Jim O'Dea Post production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995–1998 Father Ted Father Dougal McGuire Series 1–3 (25 episodes)
1996 Whose Line Is It Anyway? Himself Series 8; Episode 7
1997 Top of the Pops Himself - Guest Presenter Series 34; Episode 5[20]
1999 Hooves of Fire Robbie the Reindeer (voice) Television film
The Comedy Trail: A Shaggy Dog Story George Sunday / Thermoman Television Special
1999–2001 Big Bad World Eamon Donaghy Series 1–3 (16 episodes)
2000–2006 My Hero George Sunday / Thermoman Series 1–6 (45 episodes)
2002 Legend of the Lost Tribe Robbie the Reindeer (voice) Television film
2005 Blessed Gary Chandler Episodes 1–8
2006 Leagues Apart Himself - Presenter Episodes 1–6
2007 Close Encounters of the Herd Kind Robbie the Reindeer (voice) Television film
Doctor Who Thomas Brannigan Series 3; Episode 3: "Gridlock"
2008 Who Do You Think You Are? Himself Series 1; Episode 4: "Ardal O'Hanlon"
2009 Val Falvey, TD Val Falvey Episodes 1–6
Skins Kieran Series 3; Episodes 1 & 6: "Everyone" and "Naomi"
2010 Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow Himself Series 2; Episode 6: "Leeds"
2013 London Irish Chris 'Da' Lynch Mini-series (4 episodes)
2014 Lily's Driftwood Bay Bull Dozer Series 1; Episode 24: "Stop! Watch"
2015 Celebrity Mastermind Himself - Contestant Series 14; Episode 1
Cucumber Brian McCoy Mini-series; Episode 4
Nelly & Nora Dad (voice) 24 episodes
After Hours Peter Hannigan Episodes 1–6
2016 Ireland with Ardal O'Hanlon Himself - Presenter Episodes 1–3
2017–2020 Death in Paradise DI Jack Mooney Series 6–9 (24 episodes)
2019 Showbands: How Ireland Learned to Party Himself - Presenter Television film
2019–2022 Derry Girls Eamonn Series 2; Episode 4: "The Curse" and Series 3; Episode 7: "The Agreement"
2020 Irish Pickers Narrator[21]
2021 Would I Lie to You? Himself - Panellist Series 15; Christmas Special
2022 Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything Conall Series 1; Episodes 1–5
Ardal O'Hanlon: Tomb raider Himself - Presenter Documentary[22]
Taskmaster Himself - Contestant Series 13; Episodes 1–10
Countdown Himself Dictionary Corner. Series 86 & 88 (10 episodes)
2023 The Woman in the Wall Dara Episodes 2 & 3: "Show Thyself" and "Knock Knock"
2023–2024 Extraordinary Martin (voice) Series 1 & 2 (8 episodes)
2024 Celebrity Catchphrase Himself - Contestant Series 9; Episode 9: "Chris Bisson, Ruth Madeley and Ardal O'Hanlon"
2024–present Return to Paradise DI Jack Mooney Episodes: "R.I.P. Tide", "Oh Mine Papa" & “Apex Predator”
2024 Richard Osman's House of Games Himself - Contestant Series 8; Episodes 51–55 (Week 11)
2025 Sherlock & Daughter Mr. Halligan Series regular
2026 How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Seamus Series regular

Awards

Year Name
1994 Hackney Empire New Act of the Year
1995 Top TV Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Christie, Janet (11 November 2019). "Ardal O'Hanlon: I had to distance myself from Father Ted after it finished". scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Palmer, Camilla (27 December 2013). "Ardal O'Hanlon: My family values". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  3. ↑ Freyne, Patrick. "Ardal O'Hanlon: 'I was always this weird, watchful kind of kid'". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  4. ↑ John Wright (16 November 2025). "A Life in the Day". www.tjetimesw.com.culture. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ardal O'Hanlon Interview Father Ted Death in Paradise". YouTube. 18 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 John Wright (16 November 2025). "A Life in the Day". www.tjetimesw.com.culture. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Elkin, David (19 March 2017). "The great story of Moby flying Ardal into Slane to sing My Lovely Horse". The Daily Edge. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "9783612650702: Talk of the Town. - O'Hanlon, Ardal: 361265070X - AbeBooks". www.abebooks.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Masters, Tim (22 March 2007). "Fans mad for Doctor's new companion". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 March 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
  10. ↑ "Ardal O'Hanlan launches this year's Cats Laughs as the festival comes of age". evoke.ie. 26 February 2015. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017.
  11. ↑ Palmer, Katie (27 January 2020). "Death in Paradise: When is Ralf Little's first episode?". express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  12. ↑ @Taskmaster (25 November 2021). "Taskmaster will return in 2022" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ "Dancing at Lughnasa | National Theatre". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "Ardal O'Hanlon to present his first Irish language show". 19 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "The Divine Comedy release new single 'Invisible Thread' + music video featuring Ardal O'Hanlon". OriginalRock.net. 3 September 2025.
  16. ↑ Dwyer, Ciara (7 May 2012). "Ardal O'Hanlon: Stand up for a life well lived". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Tench, Matt (3 August 2003). "My team: Ardal O'Hanlon". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  18. ↑ simon_duddy ([email protected]) (1 October 1998). "Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll (1998)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "York Independent Film Festival". The Press (York). 1 March 2003. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  20. ↑ "BBC – Top of the Pops 2 – Trivia". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Ardal O'Hanlon joins Irish treasure hunters' new show". rte.ie. 16 January 2020.
  22. ↑ Kleinman, Sylvie (2022). "Ardal O'Hanlon: Tomb raider". History Ireland. Archived from the original on 18 June 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
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