Irish comics stage tribute gig for Robbie Bonham

The Irish comedy community is coming together for a tribute gig to honour Robbie Bonham,  who died at the age of 54 earlier this year.

Emma Doran, Al Porter, John Colleary, Aideen McQueen and Fred Cooke will appear at the gig in Dublin’s Workman’s Club, hosted by James Goldsbury.

Organisers describe Bonham as leaving a ‘an indelible mark on the Irish and international comedy’, with performances at the likes of Dublin’s Laughter Lounge, The Empire in Belfast and numerous festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe. They add he was 'known for his razor-sharp wit, kindness, and unwavering support for fellow comedians’.

But he also struggled with alcoholism, financial problems and depression and the gig will raise  money for good causes include counselling service Shannon's Hopeline, the Simon  Community mental health and homelessness charity and the D8 food bank. 

After Bonham’s death, fellow comic Kevin Gildea said: ’What was brilliant about Robbie is he took his dark experience and transformed it into great comedy. He was real and authentic and spoke of those on the margins - the outsiders. But he was not precious or a victim. He was a funny funny fucker. He was not a crowdpleaser but he pleased crowds. On his terms. He made them laugh at the darkness. For me he was the real deal - honest, authentic and hilarious.’

And  Keith Farnan added: ‘I know Robbie had it hard, some of it inflicted and some of it self-inflicted and yet I always loved his take on things and his drawings, we shared that nerd-y view of the world… When he was at full tilt in the Laughter Lounge in Dublin, he left us all for dust.’

Friends and colleagues previously raised €12,650 to cover his funeral expenses.

Tickets for the April 2 gig are available here.

Published: 18 Mar 2025