The Rise Of The Ballymore Belle

Ahead of her November show, we caught up with self-confessed Worrier Princess, Alison Spittle.

It’s been a darn good few years for Ballymore belle Alison Spittle, with our  national broadcaster loving her almost as much as her ever-growing live fanbase.

On the RTE front, not only did Alison’s semi-autobiographical sitcom, Nowhere Fast, prove a smash hit, the homecoming queen also revisited old haunts and the country  life in her revealing documentary Culchie Club.

Despite all de media love, it’s on the stage that Alison Spittle gets her biggest kicks, and as she returns to The Whale on Saturday, November 4th, we caught up with the Mullingar mirth merchant to find out who gives her de chuckles…

I started comedy when I was working for iRadio with Bernard O’Shea, who suggested I should try it, and then sorted a gig supporting PJ Gallagher.

I thought it was simply a chance to meet PJ Gallagher and tell all my friends, so I did it.

Being onstage was the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my life, and I’ve basically been trying to chase that same high ever since. I did my first solo gig in Portlaoise and I had a good time. All I did was talk about my granny and a hot tub.

My next gig was in the Battle of the Axe, run by Tony Ferns – he supported me and a lot of new comedians. I used to hold a sandwich board in Temple Bar, trying to get tourists into the Battle, and I was also a door person for the comedy club.

This allowed me stage time, and I got to develop loads as a comedian. The Battle of the Axe is the petri dish of Irish comedy.

After the radio career petered out, I really had nothing to lose with giving comedy a proper go…

Alison Spittle: Soup is at The Whale on Saturday, November 4th – tickets here: https://whaletheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873639525/events/128483595