Ardal O'Hanlon facts for kids

Ardal O'Hanlon (born 8 October 1965) is an Irish comedian, actor, and author famous for his funny and memorable roles on television. Many people know him as the clueless Father Dougal McGuire in the comedy show Father Ted. He also played a superhero named George Sunday in My Hero and a detective named Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise. Besides acting, he has written two novels.

Growing Up in Ireland

Ardal O'Hanlon was born in Carrickmacross, a town in County Monaghan, Ireland. His father, Rory O'Hanlon, was a doctor and a politician who served as a TD (a member of the Irish parliament). Ardal is the third of six children in his family.

For his education, he went to Blackrock College in Dublin. Later, he attended the National Institute for Higher Education, which is now called Dublin City University. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in communication studies.

From Stand-Up Comedy to TV Star

O'Hanlon started his career in comedy. He helped create a comedy club in Dublin at a time when there weren't many places for comedians to perform. His talent for making people laugh earned him the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year award in 1994.

Father Ted and Rise to Fame

In 1995, O'Hanlon got the role that would make him famous: Father Dougal McGuire in the TV show Father Ted. He played a sweet but very silly priest who lived on a remote Irish island. The show was a huge hit, and O'Hanlon won a British Comedy Award for Top TV Comedy Newcomer for his performance. The character was so popular that once, when O'Hanlon went shopping while still in his priest costume, the shopkeeper thought he was a real priest and tried to give him free shoes!

Playing a Superhero in My Hero

In 2000, O'Hanlon starred in another popular comedy series called My Hero. He played George Sunday, a superhero from the planet Ultron who was trying to live a normal life in a suburban town. He had to balance saving the world with everyday family problems, which led to many funny situations. He played this role for six seasons.

Solving Crimes in Paradise

From 2017 to 2020, O'Hanlon joined the cast of the popular crime drama Death in Paradise. He played Detective Inspector Jack Mooney, a friendly but clever detective who solved murders on a beautiful Caribbean island. In 2024, he returned to play the character again in a spin-off series called Return to Paradise.

Other Roles and Writing

O'Hanlon has appeared in many other TV shows and movies. He played a cat-like creature in an episode of Doctor Who called "Gridlock" and was a guest on the comedy show Taskmaster. He also voiced the main character in the Robbie the Reindeer animated specials.

Besides acting, O'Hanlon is a talented writer. He has written two novels. His first, The Talk of the Town, was published in 1998. His second novel, Brouhaha, a funny murder mystery, came out in 2022.

Personal Life

Ardal O'Hanlon met his wife, Melanie, when they were teenagers. They are married and have three children. He is a big fan of the Leeds United football club.