Dara Ó Briain

2025-10-26T16:25:10Z

2A00:23C6:F3CF:F01:E5C6:992A:F831:2037: /* Personal life */

{{short description|Irish comedian and television presenter}}
{{for|the politician|Darragh O'Brien}}
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{{Infobox comedian
| name = Dara Ó Briain
| image = Dara Ó Briain 2011 BAFTAs.jpg
| caption = Ó Briain at the 2011 BAFTA awards
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|2|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]], Ireland
| death_date =
| death_place =
| medium = Stand-up, television
| education = [[University College Dublin]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BSc]])
| years_active = 1994–present
| genre = [[Observational comedy]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Susan Ó Briain|2006}}
| children = 3
| notable_works = ''[[Echo Island]]'' ''[[Don't Feed The Gondolas]]'' (1998–2000) ''[[The Panel (Irish TV series)|The Panel]]'' (2003–2006) ''[[Mock the Week]]'' (2005–2022) ''[[Turn Back Time (TV series)|Turn Back Time]]'' (2006) ''[[The Apprentice: You're Fired!]]'' (2010–2014) ''[[Stargazing Live]]'' (2011–2017) ''[[Dara Ó Briain: School of Hard Sums|School of Hard Sums]]'' (2012–2014) ''[[Dara Ó Briain's Science Club]]'' (2012–2013) ''[[Dara & Ed's Big Adventure]]'' (2015) ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]'' (2016–2018) ''[[Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit]]'' (2016–2018) ''[[Blockbusters (UK game show)|Blockbusters]]'' (2019)
| website = {{official website|daraobriain.com}}
| module = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Dara O Briain BBC Radio4 Front Row 12 Apr 2012 b01fjx72.flac |title={{center|Dara Ó Briain's voice}} |type=speech |description={{center|[[:File:Dara O Briain BBC Radio4 Front Row 12 Apr 2012 b01fjx72.flac|Recorded April 2012]] from the BBC Radio 4 programme ''[[Front Row (radio programme)|Front Row]]''}}}}
}}

'''Dara Ó Briain''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ɑːr|ə|_|oʊ|_|ˈ|b|r|iː|ə|n|,_|ˈ|d|ær|ə|_|-}} {{respell|DAR(R)|ə|_|oh|_|BREE|ən}}, {{IPA|ga|ˈd̪ˠaɾˠə oː ˈbʲɾʲiənʲ|lang}}; born 4 February 1972)<ref>{{cite news |title=Birthdays and anniversaries |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/article/birthdays-and-anniversaries-nz0jsjg8q |access-date=19 June 2018 |work=The Sunday Times |date=4 February 2018 |language=en |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620002120/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/birthdays-and-anniversaries-nz0jsjg8q |url-status=live }}</ref> is an Irish comedian and television presenter based in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web | author=The Hot Press Newsdesk | title=Dara Ó Briain talks Mock The Week, Brexit, Twitter feuds | website=Hotpress | date=2019-10-31 | url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/dara-o-briain-talks-mock-the-week-brexit-and-twitter-feuds-22793075 | access-date=2019-11-23 | archive-date=23 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123004350/https://www.hotpress.com/culture/dara-o-briain-talks-mock-the-week-brexit-and-twitter-feuds-22793075 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Greenstreet | first=Rosanna | title=Q&A: Dara Ó Briain | website=The Guardian | date=2015-11-14 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/14/dara-o-briain-q-and-a-interview | access-date=2019-11-23 | archive-date=23 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123004618/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/14/dara-o-briain-q-and-a-interview | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Ringmaster Dara takes the floor | newspaper=The Irish Times | date=2013-03-21 | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ringmaster-dara-takes-the-floor-1.345844 | access-date=2019-11-23 | archive-date=23 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123004349/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ringmaster-dara-takes-the-floor-1.345844 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Dugan | first=Emily | title=Dara O Briain: Can nothing stop this man's takeover of our TV screens? | website=The Independent | date=2012-04-15 | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/dara-o-briain-can-nothing-stop-this-mans-takeover-of-our-tv-screens-7645960.html | access-date=2019-11-23 | archive-date=3 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103044519/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/dara-o-briain-can-nothing-stop-this-mans-takeover-of-our-tv-screens-7645960.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He is noted for performing stand-up comedy shows all over the world and for hosting topical panel shows such as ''[[Mock the Week]]'', ''[[The Panel (Irish TV series)|The Panel]]'', and ''[[The Apprentice: You're Fired!]]''. In 2009, the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' described Ó Briain as "[[Terry Wogan]]'s heir apparent as Britain's 'favourite Irishman{{'"}}.<ref name="ii-irishman" />

In 2012, he was nominated for a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance|BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance]] for his work on ''Mock the Week''. He has also been a newspaper columnist and written books for both adults and children. His first children's book, ''Beyond the Sky'', was nominated for a [[Blue Peter Book Award]] in 2017.

==Early life==
Ó Briain was born in 1972 in [[Bray, County Wicklow]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/comedian-presenter-dara-obriain-says-8630460 |work=Irish Mirror |title=Comedian and presenter Dara O'Briain says he will not force Irishness on his children |last=Lynott |first=Laura |date=14 August 2016 |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705233304/https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/comedian-presenter-dara-obriain-says-8630460 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Adoption|adopted]] into what he described as "a stable home" where he enjoyed a happy childhood with his "supportive" parents.<ref name=mother>{{Cite news |title=Dara Ó Briain reveals search for his birth mother |author= |website=BBC News |date=28 January 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55838586 |access-date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128132231/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55838586 |url-status=live }}</ref> He attended [[Coláiste Eoin]] secondary school, a ''[[Gaelcholáiste]]'' (Irish-speaking medium school) on [[Dublin]]'s southside. He attended [[University College Dublin]] (UCD), where he studied [[mathematics]] and [[theoretical physics]]. In 2008, he remarked: "I haven't written it into my act, but it occasionally comes through. I could come on with a chalkboard and say: 'Now you're all going to pay attention.{{'"}}<ref name="Pl">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231133&contentPK=20550308&folderPk=108026&pNodeId=231167|title=Time has come for stand-up guy Dara|last=Carroll|first=Su|date=6 May 2008|newspaper=[[The Herald (Plymouth)|The Herald]]|access-date=25 May 2008|location=[[Plymouth]]}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

While a student at UCD, he was both the auditor (chairperson) of the [[Literary and Historical Society (University College Dublin)|Literary and Historical Society]] (the university's oldest [[debate|debating society]]) and the co-founder and co-editor of ''[[The University Observer]]'' college newspaper. In 1994, he won the [[Irish Times Debate|''Irish Times'' National Debating Championship]] and ''[[The Irish Times]]''/[[Gael Linn]] National Irish language debating championship; he is a fluent [[Irish language|Irish]] speaker, and speaks to his father only in that language.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/dara-o-briain-interview-laughter-lines-1-1301444|title=Dara O'Briain interview - Laughter lines|date=2008-11-21|website=www.scotsman.com|access-date=2017-01-12|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113124352/http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/dara-o-briain-interview-laughter-lines-1-1301444|url-status=live}}</ref>

He played both [[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] for [[Bray Emmets GAA|Bray Emmets]]<ref name="Wicklow People">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/television-presenter-has-got-news-for-you-27825901.html |title=Television presenter has got news for you |access-date=8 September 2020 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=29 January 2004 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201092907/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/television-presenter-has-got-news-for-you-27825901.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and hurling for the [[Wicklow GAA|Wicklow County]] minor team.<ref name="Balls.ie">{{cite web |url=https://www.balls.ie/gaa/minor-gaa-303895 |title=17 Famous Irish People Who Played Minor GAA at County Level |access-date=8 September 2020 |work=[[Balls.ie]] |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926115137/https://www.balls.ie/gaa/minor-gaa-303895 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==After university==
After graduating in 1994, Ó Briain began working at [[RTÉ]] as a children's TV presenter. At this time, he also began performing his first stand-up gigs on the Irish comedy circuit.<ref name="II">{{cite news
| last = Kelleher
| first = Lynne
| title = Funnyman Dara O Briain lands his own BBC chat show
| work = [[Irish Independent]]
| publisher = [[Independent News & Media]]
| date = 30 July 2006
| url = http://www.independent.ie/national-news/funnyman-dara-o-briain-lands-his-own-bbc-chatshow-133079.html
| access-date = 25 May 2008
| archive-date = 2 November 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102193416/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/funnyman-dara-o-briain-lands-his-own-bbc-chatshow-133079.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> He admitted, "I did the trip from [[Dublin]] to [[County Donegal|Donegal]] to play to six people; then I turned round and drove home again. I did about three or four years playing to a lot of bad rooms, but learning as I went. It's not bad when someone gives you £40 for standing up and telling jokes. I remember thinking: 'This is the life.{{' "}}<ref name="Pl" /> Ó Briain spent three years as a presenter on the bilingual (Irish and English) children's programme ''[[Echo Island]]'' but came to prominence as a team captain on the topical panel show'' [[Don't Feed the Gondolas]]'' (1998–2000) hosted by [[Seán Moncrieff]]. Ó Briain also hosted RTÉ family entertainment gameshow ''It's a Family Affair''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Inc. – It's A Family Affair|url=http://www.greeninc.tv/programme.asp?id=46|access-date=8 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002061311/http://www.greeninc.tv/programme.asp?id=46|archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Stand-up comedy==
[[File:Dara O'Briain at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe 3.jpg|alt=Dara Ó Briain, comedian, at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.|left|thumb|Ó Briain at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]]
Ó Briain's stand up international career took off around this time as he began to tour heavily, performing across [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Australia]] and [[North America]], with gigs in [[Dubai]], [[Paris]], [[Adelaide]], [[Shanghai]] and [[New York City]]. He was a regular at the [[Cat Laughs|Kilkenny Cat Laughs]] and the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]], as well as making one notable appearance at the [[Just For Laughs]] festival in [[Montreal]] in 2002, where he was offered a prestigious gala show because of his performances at the Irish showcase. Around this time, Ó Briain presented the weekend game show ''It's a Family Affair'' on [[RTÉ Television]]. It was the first time he worked with former Channel 4 [[commissioning editor]] Séamus Cassidy. They later set up the production company Happy Endings Productions, and together they produced (and Ó Briain presented) the chat show ''[[Buried Alive (talk show)|Buried Alive]]'' (2003) and most famously in Ireland ''[[The Panel (Irish TV series)|The Panel]]'' (2003–2006).

In 2005, Ó Briain's eighth show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe was the biggest-selling solo comedy show of the festival.<ref>"[http://livebrum.co.uk/2008/03/17.rss Live Brum: Events on 17 March 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820042858/http://livebrum.co.uk/2008/03/17.rss |date=20 August 2011 }}". Live Brum, 17 March 2008. Retrieved on 28 May 2008.</ref>

In early 2006, Ó Briain conducted his third tour of the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]]. This included shows at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane|Theatre Royal]], in [[London]] as well as nine nights in [[Dublin]] at [[Vicar Street]]. His second night in the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]], in London was recorded for his first live DVD. His fourth multinational tour followed in late 2007, which as he says in his routine has "no title" but was almost entitled "You Had to Be There".

He performed new tours across the UK and Ireland in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018. His 2010 tour played for 150 dates, to over 225,000 people, including 37 nights in Vicar St. in Dublin, nine nights at the [[Hammersmith Apollo]] in London and a first date in [[Dubai]]. Each of those three tours were recorded for DVD, and the 2012 tour, entitled 'Craic Dealer', was similarly recorded during his shows at the [[Edinburgh Playhouse]] in May 2012. "Craic Dealer" ran for over 150 shows, as did his 2015 tour "Crowd Tickler", this time with dates in Scandinavia, Northern Europe and Australia added to the tour. The tour was recorded for a DVD release.

On 12 March 2011, Ó Briain, [[Jack Whitehall]] and [[Jon Richardson]] set a new ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' title for hosting the 'highest stand-up comedy gig in the world', on a [[British Airways]] flight in support of [[Comic Relief]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/2014025/british_airways_announces_smile_high_gig_sets_new_guinness_world/ |title=British Airways Announces Smile High Gig, Sets New Guinness World Record |work=redOrbit |date=17 March 2011 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119144505/http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/2014025/british_airways_announces_smile_high_gig_sets_new_guinness_world/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|Ux30pnqvQQE|British Airways and Comic Relief 'Flying Start' – Gig in the Sky Highlights}}</ref>

In 2011, Ó Briain took part in two shows of the 16-date ''[[The Infinite Monkey Cage|Uncaged Monkeys]]'' tour with [[Brian Cox (physicist)|Professor Brian Cox]], [[Robin Ince]], [[Ben Goldacre]], [[Simon Singh]] and [[Chris Addison]].

In October 2017, he started touring his show "Voice of Reason". As well as another 37 nights in Vicar St Theatre in Dublin (to bring his total there to 197 shows), "Voice of Reason" was performed more than 175 times, in 20 countries, including debut shows in [[Reykjavík]], [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Malta]], Germany and New Zealand. It was recorded as a BBC special at the Hammersmith Apollo, for broadcast in 2019. He had originally planned to perform the show on debut tours to the United States and Canada in 2020, but this was postponed after the first four US dates, in early March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian part of the tour resumed in August 2021.<ref>"[https://daraobriain.com/#tour-dates Dara Ó Briain: Tour Dates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916143803/https://daraobriain.com/#tour-dates |date=16 September 2021 }}". Dara Ó Briain website. Retrieved on 16 September 2021</ref>

In September 2021, he announced a new show, named "So... Where Were We?", with a tour starting in November 2021.<ref>"[https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/232813/9 Dara O'Briain Announces So... Where Were We? Residency At Dublin's Vicar Street For November] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916144420/https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/232813/9 |date=16 September 2021}}". Stereoboard. 2 September 2021. Retrieved on 16 September 2021.</ref> Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a portion of the tour in Ireland that was originally planned for January 2022 was pushed back to March through June 2022.<ref>[https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/1480920497886056453 Dara O'Briain on Twitter - 3:12PM Jan 11, 2022]
{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111152046/https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/1480920497886056453 |date=11 January 2022 }}. - "Irish friends! These are the current dates for the “So, Where Were We?” Irish Tour, including all the re-arranged January dates. Looking forward to seeing you there!". 11 January 2022. Retrieved on 11 January 2022.</ref>
He has been touring since and extended the tour.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/12830/dara-o-briain-tour | title=Dara O Briain Extends His Tour | date=26 November 2022}}</ref>

In February 2025, Ó Briain started his ''Re:Creation'' [[UK]] and [[Ireland]] tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uktw.co.uk/Tour/Comedy/Dara-OBriain-ReCreation/T01545900452/|title=Re:Creation|website=uktw.co.uk|accessdate=9 February 2025}}</ref>

==Television career==
''[[The Panel (Irish TV series)|The Panel]]'' was hosted by Ó Briain. Three times nominated for the Best Entertainment show [[Irish Film and Television Awards|IFTA]] (Irish Film and Television Awards), the show has a rotating cast of panellists, usually drawn from the world of Irish comedy, discussing the events of the week and interviewing guests. The most regular panellists have been [[Colin Murphy (comedian)|Colin Murphy]], [[Ed Byrne (comedian)|Ed Byrne]], [[Neil Delamere]], [[Andrew Maxwell]] and [[Mairead Farrell (radio presenter)|Mairéad Farrell]].

Around 2002, with his profile rising in the UK due to his one-man shows at the [[Edinburgh Fringe|Edinburgh Festival Fringe]], Ó Briain began making appearances on UK television shows such as ''Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment'' (a [[Five (channel)|Channel 5]] production) and ''[[Never Mind the Buzzcocks]]''. In early 2003, he hosted the second series of [[BBC Scotland]]'s ''[[Live Floor Show]]''.<ref>Dessau, Bruce. "[http://www.irish-comedy.com/daraobriain/index.htm Dara O Briain] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202010321/http://www.irish-comedy.com/daraobriain/index.htm |date= 2 February 2008 }}". ''The Evening Standard''. Retrieved on 4 February 2008.</ref> His big break in UK television came in 2003, when he appeared as a guest panellist on news quiz, ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'', subsequently making several appearances as guest host of the show.<ref>"[http://www.paramountcomedy.com/comedy/comedians/comedian.aspx?id=1014 Dara Ó Briain] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024221949/http://www.paramountcomedy.com/comedy/comedians/comedian.aspx?id=1014 |date=24 October 2007 }}". [[Paramount Comedy 1|Paramount UK]]. Retrieved on 25 May 2008.</ref>

In 2003, Ó Briain was nominated at the ''Chortle Comedy Awards for Live Comedy'' in the categories Best Compère and Best Headline Act (which he would go on to win). In 2004, he won the Best Headliner award again, as well as being nominated for Best Full-length Show.
From 2005 to 2022, he was the host of the comedy panel show ''[[Mock the Week]]'' on [[BBC Two]], a blend between ''Have I Got News for You'' and ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'' The show reached its 200th episode during its 19th series in 2019.

On 14 September 2005, Ó Briain appeared as a guest on ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'', where he got rid of children's television presenters (following his work as a presenter on ''Echo Island'') and once-in-a-lifetime experiences (he was given a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the show by being the second guest to pull the lever that opens the chute to Room 101 – the first had been former host Nick Hancock). He also got rid of banter, [[Gillian McKeith]] and magicians.<ref name="BBC Room 101">{{cite episode| title= Series 10: Episode 1| series= [[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]] | credits= Presenter: [[Paul Merton]]; Guest: Dara O Briain| network= BBC| station= [[BBC Two]]| url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0078y70 | airdate= 25 June 2008| access-date= 15 March 2019 }}</ref>

Between 2006 and 2011, Ó Briain starred in the BBC's ''[[Three Men in a Boat (TV Series)|Three Men in a Boat]]'' series, with [[Griff Rhys Jones]] and [[Rory McGrath]]. The series included the trio rowing the [[River Thames]], as in the 1889 novel of the same name, sailing from London to the [[Isle of Wight]] for a sail boat race, borrowing numerous [[watercraft|vessels]] to make their way from [[Plymouth]] to the [[Isles of Scilly]]. In 2009, the three took to the Irish canals and rivers on a trip from [[Dublin]] to [[Limerick]]. In 2010, they explored the Isles of Scotland. In 2011, two more series were made; one travelling from Montenegro to Venice, the other travelling down the New England coast in the US to New York.

Ó Briain has also been an extensive newspaper columnist, with pieces published in many national papers in both the UK and Ireland, from ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'' to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''. On 9 August 2006 he hosted the first edition of his chat show ''[[Turn Back Time (TV)|Turn Back Time]]'',<ref name="II" /> which only ran for one series.

He is a relatively frequent panellist on ''[[QI]]'' and wrote about Ireland in the ''QI'' series E annual. He also occasionally appears on ''[[Just a Minute]]'' on [[BBC Radio 4]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

He also holds the record for greatest number of appearances on the BBC stand-up showcase ''[[Live at the Apollo (TV series)|Live at the Apollo]],'' where he appeared seven times.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

On 1 October 2009, Ó Briain released his first book entitled ''Tickling the English'', about what he considers it means to be English. As part of its promotion, he has stated that he is enthusiastic about [[English culture]] and a student of [[History of England|English history]], his favourite events being the [[Gin Craze]] and the [[English Civil War|civil war]].<ref name="int-natthe">Dara Ó Briain Interview, National Theatre, 23 October 2009</ref> In a review of ''Tickling the English'', Ó Briain was described as [[Terry Wogan|Sir Terry Wogan]]'s [[heir apparent]] as Britain's "favourite Irishman".<ref name="ii-irishman">{{cite news | url = http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/dara-the-irishman-1936567.html | title = Dara the Irishman | newspaper = [[Irish Independent]] | publisher = [[Independent News & Media]] | location = Dublin | date = 7 November 2009 | access-date = 6 May 2010 | archive-date = 16 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120616210950/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/dara-the-irishman-1936567.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

Ó Briain has appeared several times in the [[BBC Radio]] science / comedy show ''[[The Infinite Monkey Cage]]'' which premiered on 30 November 2009 on [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]].<ref name=bbc-mc>{{cite web|title=BBC Radio 4 – The Infinite Monkey Cage, Series 1, Episode 1|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p29kc|publisher=BBC|access-date=13 September 2012|archive-date=1 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401193300/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p29kc|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since October 2024, Ó Briain has co-presented [[Curious Cases]], a science programme on [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]] with [[Hannah Fry]].

In 2010, Ó Briain replaced [[Adrian Chiles]] as the presenter of ''[[The Apprentice: You're Fired!]]''. After five years, he quit following the 2014 series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s108/the-apprentice/news/a620679/dara--briain-quits-as-host-of-the-apprentice-spinoff-youre-fired.html#~p14z2gkroQBk6C |title=Dara Ó Briain quits as host of The Apprentice spinoff You're Fired |first=Susannah |last=Alexander |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=10 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121153409/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s108/the-apprentice/news/a620679/dara--briain-quits-as-host-of-the-apprentice-spinoff-youre-fired.html#~p14z2gkroQBk6C |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ó Briain has hosted the [[British Academy Video Games Awards]] 9 times between 2009 and 2019, including 2012, when highlights were also shown on [[Challenge (TV channel)|Challenge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/press/press-releases/game-bafta-video-games-awards-host-announced |title=GAME BAFTA Video Games Awards Host Announced |work=BAFTA |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119145148/http://www.bafta.org/press/press-releases/game-bafta-video-games-awards-host-announced |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/press/press-releases/game-british-academy-video-games-awards-winners-in-2011 |title=GAME British Academy Video Games Awards Winners in 2011 |work=BAFTA |date=16 March 2011 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119153345/http://www.bafta.org/press/press-releases/game-british-academy-video-games-awards-winners-in-2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2012 he hosted the Bafta Television awards, the same year he was nominated for a Best Entertainment Performance Award.

From 3 to 5 January 2011, Ó Briain and [[Brian Cox (physicist)|Brian Cox]] presented ''[[Stargazing Live]]'' on [[BBC Two]], three programmes based at the [[Jodrell Bank Observatory]], scheduled to coincide with the [[Conjunction (astronomy and astrology)|conjunction]] of Jupiter and Uranus, a [[Solar eclipse of January 4, 2011|partial solar eclipse]], and the [[Quadrantid meteor shower]].<ref>{{Cite news
|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northeastscotlandnorthernisles/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_9318000/9318210.stm
|title= Stargazing Live
|work= news.bbc.co.uk
|access-date= 4 January 2011
|date= 23 December 2010
|archive-date= 6 January 2011
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110106160909/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northeastscotlandnorthernisles/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_9318000/9318210.stm
|url-status= live
}}</ref> The two presenters hosted a second series of three-hour-long programmes, plus follow-up 30-minute shows called ''Stargazing Live: Back to Earth'', from 16 to 18 January 2012. From 8 to 10 January 2013, they presented the third series, again accompanied by ''Back to Earth''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/|title=Home|website=Radio Times|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222032311/https://www.radiotimes.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stargazing Live has continued to run intermittently throughout the decade, including live coverage of the Partial solar eclipse over the UK in 2015, Astronaut Tim Peake's journey to the ISS in 2016, and a 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo missions in 2019.
Stargazing Live was nominated for a Bafta for Best Live Television Event in 2017.

From 16 April 2012, Ó Briain presented an eight-episode series of ''[[Dara Ó Briain: School of Hard Sums|School of Hard Sums]]'' with co-host [[Marcus du Sautoy]] on [[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]]. Each episode was themed and Ó Briain along with a guest attempted to solve various conundrums posted by du Sautoy. Series 2 began on 1 May 2013. On 6 November 2012, Ó Briain began presenting a series called ''[[Dara Ó Briain's Science Club]]'', in which he and other celebrities discuss science issues. The first edition of this programme features [[Ed Byrne (comedian)|Ed Byrne]] talking about how closely related he is to the [[Neanderthals]]. Each episode in the series includes a short animated history that has been created by the UK animation and illustration agency [[12Foot6]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://folksonomy.co/?keyword=35400 |title=UK animation and illustration agency 12Foot6 |publisher=Folksonomy.co |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-date=12 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112112142/http://folksonomy.co/?keyword=35400 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, Ó Briain joined [[Jack Dee]], [[Chelsee Healey]], [[Greg James]], [[Melanie C]] and [[Philips Idowu]] in ''Through Hell and High Water'', a [[Comic Relief]] challenge which involved celebrities canoeing the most difficult rapids of the [[Zambezi River]]. They raised over £1 million for the charity.

''[[Dara and Ed's Great Big Adventure]]'', a 2015 three-part [[fly-on-the-wall]] television series, followed Ó Briain and Ed Byrne on their journey by car down the [[Pan-American Highway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05pc177|title=Dara and Ed's Great Big Adventure - BBC Two|website=BBC|access-date=19 June 2016|archive-date=24 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724150020/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05pc177|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2015, ''Dara Ó Briain Meets Stephen Hawking'', in which Ó Briain travels to Cambridge for a series of interviews with theoretical physicist [[Stephen Hawking]], aired on BBC One.

From January to March 2016, Ó Briain presented ''Tomorrow's Food'', a three-episode series alongside [[Angela Hartnett]], [[Chris Bavin]] and Dr Shini Somara. The [[BBC One]] show looked at the technologies and produce in farms, supermarkets, kitchens and restaurants around the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/42ssmBZdhZ0rRBTRQnJJ1NB/presenter-biographies |title=Tomorrow's Food- Presenter Biographies |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=15 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115224105/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/42ssmBZdhZ0rRBTRQnJJ1NB/presenter-biographies |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, Ó Briain began hosting a panel show about video games called ''[[Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://dave.uktv.co.uk/shows/dara-o-briains-go-8-bit/ |title= Dara Ó Briain's Go 8 Bit |work= [[Dave (TV Channel)|Dave]] |access-date= 1 September 2016 |archive-date= 8 September 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160908134013/http://dave.uktv.co.uk/shows/dara-o-briains-go-8-bit/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

Ó Briain presented the 2016 reboot of ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]'' starting on 24 July, as well as the subsequent two series in 2017.

He hosted a revival of the classic quiz show ''[[Blockbusters (British game show)|Blockbusters]]'', which began airing on [[Comedy Central (British TV channel)|Comedy Central]] on 21 March 2019 until 5 December 2019.

In 2019, Ó Briain appeared as a guest on ''[[Hypothetical (TV series)|Hypothetical]]''.

In June 2019, he was the host of ''The Family Brain Games''. He co-hosted this with Hannah Critchlow, who was responsible for the psychological analysis and supported by Adam Hampshire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1rCCMGnn6mtkVVDQFw9FJsC/dara-and-the-scientists|title=BBC Two - The Family Brain Games - Dara and the Scientists|website=BBC|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814204617/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1rCCMGnn6mtkVVDQFw9FJsC/dara-and-the-scientists|url-status=live}}</ref> This programme was won by the Smith Family of Newmilns, Ayrshire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/News/article/team-smith-triumph-on-tv-quiz|title=Team Smith triumph on TV quiz - East Ayrshire Council News|date=28 June 2019|website=www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814151246/https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/News/article/team-smith-triumph-on-tv-quiz|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ó Briain also presents C4 quiz show ''One & Six Zeros''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/ps1000000-grabs-new-quiz-hosted-dara-o-briain|title=£1,000,000 up for grabs in new quiz hosted by Dara Ó Briain|website=channel4.com/press|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016100111/https://www.channel4.com/press/news/ps1000000-grabs-new-quiz-hosted-dara-o-briain|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 June 2022, Ó Briain was confirmed to star as a contestant in series 14 of C4 comedy game show ''[[Taskmaster (TV series)|Taskmaster]]''. He won the second episode of the series with 30 points, becoming the first person in the show's history to win the maximum possible number of points on offer in a single episode, and later went on to win the series with the highest-ever total score (later eclipsed by [[John Robins (comedian)|John Robins]] in series 17). In 2024 he returned to compete in the third ''Taskmaster: Champion of Champions'' special, against [[Sarah Kendall]], [[Morgana Robinson]], [[Sophie Duker]] and [[Kiell Smith-Bynoe]] (who was substituting in for Series 15 champion [[Mae Martin]]). Once again Ó Briain was victorious.

In August 2023, Ó Briain presented ''Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain''; a two-part series that aired on [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel5.com/show/wonders-of-the-moon-with-dara-o-briain/season-1/episode-1|title=Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain|website=channel5.com|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref>

In May 2024, Ó Briain presented a two-part series on [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] called ''Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara O Briain''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel5.com/show/mysteries-of-the-pyramids-with-dara-o-briain|title=Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara O Briain|website=channel5.com|access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref>

In July 2024, ''Wonders of the Sun with Dara Ó Briain''; a two-part series presented by Ó Briain aired on [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/episode-1/umc.cmc.zrl5om9t6xq9uq953106ejbp|title=Wonders of the Sun with Dara Ó Briain|website=tv.apple.com|date=16 July 2024 |access-date=18 July 2024}}</ref>

In April 2025, Ó Briain presented ''Volcano with Dara O Briain'', a two-part series on [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-s0qk8d/wonders-of-volcanoes-with-dara-o-briain-season-1/?episode=b-vxynkj|title=Wonders of Volcanoes with Dara O Briain|website=radiotimes.com|access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref>

==Film work==
Ó Briain had a cameo role as a generalised [[alternative comedy|alternative comedian]] in the 2013 British film ''[[The Look of Love (film)|The Look of Love]]'' directed by [[Michael Winterbottom]].

==Personal life==
Ó Briain married his wife Susan, a surgeon, in 2006;<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5712453/Interview-Dara-OBriain.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5712453/Interview-Dara-OBriain.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph
| location=London |title=Interview: Dara Ó Briain tells Andrew Pettie that ''Mock the Week'' doesn't discriminate against women. |date=2 July 2009 |access-date=1 May 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> they live in West London with their three children, one daughter (born 2008) and two sons (born 2011 and 2015).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/dara-o-briain-can-nothing-stop-this-mans-takeover-of-our-tv-screens-7645960.html |work=The Independent |first=Emily |last=Dugan |title=Dara Ó Briain: Can nothing stop this man's takeover of our TV screens? |date=15 April 2012 |access-date=20 September 2017 |archive-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123011553/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/dara-o-briain-can-nothing-stop-this-mans-takeover-of-our-tv-screens-7645960.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was best man at his best friend [[Ed Byrne (comedian)|Ed Byrne]]'s wedding in 2008 after Byrne had previously been Ó Briain's best man.<ref>[[Mock the Week]], Series 10 Episode 12</ref> He describes himself as looking like "one of [[Tony Soprano]]'s henchmen, on a bad day", and said that in 2008, "living in London I probably only get recognised about once a day. And that's okay by me. I'm not a celebrity. And I certainly don't see myself as one".<ref name="ugg">Taylor, Richie. "[http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/ill-never-be-a-famous-face-im-an-ugly-bloke-1290055.html I'll never be a famous face. I'm an ugly bloke!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220183028/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/ill-never-be-a-famous-face-im-an-ugly-bloke-1290055.html |date=20 December 2008 }}". ''[[Irish Independent]]'', 15 February 2008. Retrieved on 15 November 2008.</ref>

Ó Briain is an [[Atheism|atheist]], but has said that he also sees himself as "[[Irish Catholics|ethnically Catholic]]": "I'm staunchly atheist, I simply don't believe in God, even if he believes in me. But I'm still Catholic, of course. Catholicism has a much broader reach than just the religion. I'm technically Catholic, it's the box you have to tick on the census form: 'Don't believe in God, but I do still [[Old Firm|hate]] [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].{{'"}}<ref>"[http://homepage.eircom.net/%257Eodyssey/Politics/Quotes/Ireland_Society.html Only in Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220215410/http://homepage.eircom.net/~odyssey/Politics/Quotes/Ireland_Society.html |date=20 December 2008 }}". [[Eircom]]. Retrieved on 12 November 2008.</ref>

His surname is the original Irish form of O'Brien. He said, "My dad was involved in the [[List of organisations in Irish Language Movement|Irish language movement]] and changed it. Even Irish people are now confused by it".<ref name="ugg" />

Ó Briain is a fan of English football club [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/aug/15/dara-o-briain-arsenal-premier-league |title=Every week there'll be a new 'Crisis' to mock |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=16 August 2009 |last=Ó Briain |first=Dara |date=15 August 2009 |archive-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106143714/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/aug/15/dara-o-briain-arsenal-premier-league |url-status=live }}</ref> and of [[Gaelic games]], having played for [[Wicklow county football team]] at minor level.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Dara Ó Briain |user=daraobriain |number=1459505248876310530 |title=Arsenal and Gaelic games}}</ref> When his tweet congratulating [[London county football team|London]] on knocking [[Sligo county football team|Sligo]] out of the [[2013 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]] was read out on ''[[The Sunday Game]]'', Ó Briain expressed amazement and vowed to try to have one read out every week.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/338769005181550593 |title=I didn't know there was a chance of getting a tweet on ''The Sunday Game''. Will definitely be trying to achieve that every week. |date=26 May 2013 |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-date=6 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006073425/https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/338769005181550593 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sean |last=Nolan |url=http://www.joe.ie/gaa/the-championship/monday-morning-corner-back-ohara-tears-into-walshobriain-on-the-sunday-game-and-prediction-woes-0038278-1 |title=Monday Morning Corner Back: O'Hara tears into Walsh, O'Briain on the Sunday Game and prediction woes |work=JOE |date=27 May 2013 |access-date=27 May 2013 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801084342/https://www.joe.ie/uncategorized/monday-morning-corner-back-ohara-tears-into-walshobriain-on-the-sunday-game-and-prediction-woes-334826?shortlink=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ó Briain has also expressed an interest in [[Cricket in Ireland|Irish cricket]], and has written about the subject for ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/may/08/ireland-england-cricket-world-twenty20 |title=Ask England's Twenty20 team: only weather can rein in Irish cricket |first=Dara |last=Ó Briain |work=The Guardian |date=8 May 2010 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=28 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028095349/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/may/08/ireland-england-cricket-world-twenty20 |url-status=live }}</ref> As well as this he has attempted to explain [[hurling]] to British audiences.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/gaa/bbc-hurling-explainer-debut-605203|title=Dara O'Bríain Shares BBC Hurling Explainer Ahead Of UK Broadcasting Debut|publisher=Balls.ie|first=Gary|last=Connaughton|date=20 July 2024}}</ref> He attended many events of the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] in Paris.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/olympics/dara-o-briain-freed-from-desire-607282|title=Hilarious Dara Ó Briain Video Sums Up His Madcap Sporting Summer|publisher=Balls.ie|first=Eoin|last=Harrington|date=8 August 2024}}</ref>


Ó Briain was one of fifteen members of a racing greyhound syndicate for several years. The December 2009 transmission of ''Three Men Go to Ireland'' featured their dog [[Snip Nua]] who, by the time of transmission, had been [[animal euthanasia|put down]] following injuries sustained in a race. Ó Briain was so upset about the death that he and his fellow syndicate members immediately disbanded the syndicate permanently.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} In early 2010, a series of small demonstrations were held outside some of Ó Briain's tour venues, urging him to publicly denounce the sport of [[greyhound racing]] due to the dog's death.

In 2020, Ó Briain tweeted that an [[asteroid]] had been named after him: [[4901 Ó Briain]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ó Briain |first1=Dara |title=Holy Hell! For those of you whose Irish is rusty… Somebody has named an asteroid after me! YES! |url=https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/1252992535821201409 |website=Twitter |access-date=16 January 2024 |date=22 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Small-Body Database Lookup: 4901 O Briain (1988 VJ) |url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=4901&view=OPDA |website=ssd.jpl.nasa.gov |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref>

In 2020, having known that he was adopted, he successfully sought out his birth family.<ref name=mother/>

In 2022, Ó Briain became one of the Patrons for the [[Plaza Cinema, Stockport]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stockportplaza.co.uk/about-the-plaza/our-patrons/ | title=Our Patrons }}</ref>

==Stand-up DVDs==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Title
!Released
!Venue
|-
| ''Live at the Theatre Royal''
| 13 November 2006
| [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane|Theatre Royal]], London
|-
| ''Dara Ó Briain Talks Funny – Live in London''
| 17 November 2008
| [[Hammersmith Apollo]], London
|-
| ''This Is the Show''
| 22 November 2010
| [[Hammersmith Apollo]], London
|-
| ''Craic Dealer''
| 12 November 2012
| [[Edinburgh Playhouse|The Playhouse]], Edinburgh
|-
| ''Crowd Tickler''
| 23 November 2015
| [[Hammersmith Apollo]], London
|}

==See also==
* [[Auditors of the Literary and Historical Society (University College Dublin)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{official website}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1465223|name=Dara Ó Briain}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|dara_o_briain}}
* [http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/d/321/dara_o_briain/review Dara Ó Briain on Chortle]
{{Taskmaster}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obriain, Dara}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish comedians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College Dublin]]
[[Category:Auditors of the Literary and Historical Society (University College Dublin)]]
[[Category:Bray Emmets Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Bray Emmets hurlers]]
[[Category:Broadcasters from County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Former Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Gaelic games players from County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Irish adoptees]]
[[Category:Irish atheists]]
[[Category:Irish expatriates in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Irish former Christians]]
[[Category:Irish game show hosts]]
[[Category:Irish male comedians]]
[[Category:Irish stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:Irish television personalities]]
[[Category:People from Bray, County Wicklow]]
[[Category:People educated at Coláiste Eoin]]
[[Category:Scientific skeptics]]
[[Category:Television presenters from the Republic of Ireland]]

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Dara Ó Briain