Ardal O' Hanlon, Glasgow Carling Academy, 17 March

What better way to spend St. Patrick's Day than in the company of one of Ireland's best loved comics? Everybody remembers Ardal O' Hanlon as the lovable eejit Dougal in Father Ted, whilst trying to forget his role in family-friendly debacle My Hero, but his stand-up is where you get to see the man behind the characters. He retains Dougal's slightly bemused demeanour, but has lost much of his youthful innocence, looking decidedly middle aged.

After some fairly generic observational comedy O'Hanlon gets stuck into the meat of his set, which is dominated by the many issues associated with being 40. We are treated to a range of musings about his wife, new found grievances, and additional responsibilities. Although much of his routine is rather safe it seems to delight the mature Academy crowd, and a polished set was rounded off fittingly for the occasion when he caves in to the hecklers and gives a hilarious rendition of the Father Ted 'Eurosong' entry, My Lovely Horse. [Peter Walker]