Irish comedians have been descending on Edinburgh since the Fringe’s inception, and with good reason. Their humour lands squarely with locals while carrying a universality that appeals across the board. They’re the fifth Beatle of the festival — the beating heart and standard-setters who shape the mood of the month. So it makes sense that The Stand has once again curated some of the sharpest voices from the Emerald Isle.

The premise is foolproof: a powerhouse compère, a rotating lineup of Irish comics, and that unpredictable Fringe energy. The roster changes daily, meaning no two shows are the same — and that’s half the joy.

Tonight, the glue was George Fox from Cork. His job: warm up the room and set the tone. His style: relaxed, confident, and full of playful crowd work. By the time he hands the mic over, the audience are already on his side.

Jay Lynch

With an origin story from Donegal that would make Marvel jealous, Lynch now calls Glasgow home — and he mines both identities with a rare charm. His take on the over-the-top excitement Americans have about Ireland is a delight, as are tales of small-town bookshops and hometown myths. The set’s standout moment? Irish priests reimagined in football commentary — a bit so strong it could live as a sketch show. A darker turn involving Matthew Broderick’s ill-fated Irish visit shows he’s more than capable of mixing tones without losing the audience.

Roger O’Sullivan

Cork-born and quickly rising, O’Sullivan is already causing a welcome stir on the circuit. His material spans the personal and surreal with ease: negotiating a “peace process” with his girlfriend after moving to London, a killer bit on world clock settings, and a séance with a Ouija board that had the room howling. His riffs on incendiary family remarks round it all out. A cracking set that confirms he’s one to watch — and likely in demand for years to come.

Mary Bourke

Few comedians would dare to open with “don’t worry, you’re in the presence of greatness.” Fewer still could actually pull it off. Bourke does, and from that moment she owns the stage. Her set is stripped of padding — just rapid, biting material. From riffing on sharing a festival with Liz Truss, to mocking men in gilets, to skewering team-building culture, every gag lands. But the pièce de résistance? A blistering description of Mrs Brown’s Boys that deserves to go down as one of the lines of the Fringe. Outstanding.

All told, The Best of Irish remains one of the most consistently rewarding showcases of the festival: big laughs, deft hosting, and a sense of occasion that feels both loose and perfectly in control. Well worth a ticket — and, if you’re smart, a return visit.

Four Stars****

Reviewed by Steve H

Venue The Stand

Time 17.30

Until  24th Aug