International star of multiple BAFTA-award-winning TV series Mrs Brown's Boys and Mrs Brown's Boys: d'Movie, Brendan O'Carroll's story begins very modestly. The youngest of eleven children, Brendan O'Carroll was born in Dublin's inner-city in 1955. His mother, Maureen, was a Labour TD (MP) and a huge influence on his life. He left school at 12 and worked as a waiter, trying many other occupations in his spare time - disco manager, milkman, pirate radio disc-jockey, painter-decorator etc. For a time he ran his own bar and cabaret lounge before being persuaded to try the comedy circuit. The gigs were small at first and even included his own version of 'Blind Date', but word soon got around about this original and outrageous funnyman: soon there was standing-room only. The real turning point in Brendan's career was his first appearance on The Late Late Show, Ireland's longest-running chat show: the studio audience and viewers loved him. His first video Live at the Tivoli went straight to No 1, knocking U2 out of the top slot and pushing Garth Brooks to No 3. In 1994 he was voted Ireland's No 1 Variety Entertainer at the National Entertainment Awards. He went on to make best-selling videos, and a bestselling record, as well as touring in Ireland, the UK and the USA. The radio show Mrs Browne's Boys, written by and starring Brendan, had a phenomenal daily audience on 2FM and led to the creation of Agnes Browne as the central character in Brendan's first novel, The Mammy, published in 1994. The book topped the bestseller charts in Ireland for months and the film rights were snapped up. The Mammy was followed by The Chisellers and The Granny: all three were huge bestsellers. Holywood came calling when Anjelica Huston read and loved Brendan's books: she made her directorial debut with Agnes Browne. Brendan toured several other stage shows with Agnes Browne as the central character, before a BBC producer saw the show and felt there was television potential. Initially broadcast in a quiet late evening slot, Mrs Brown's Boys quickly became a huge word-of-mouth hit, and quickly moved to primetime, including several Christmas Day specials. A huge success in Australia and other countries where it has been shown, the enduring appeal of Agnes and her family is secure. Brendan continues to write and perform as Agnes Browne, most recently in Mrs Brown's Boys: d'Movie (2014)
the tone is always very realistic with his usual flair for natural
dialogue…with plenty of tension, some classic O’Carroll humour and
a variety of well described characters this is a simply written,
entertaining story
*Northern Standard*
Following hot on the heels of Brendan’s trilogy of novels…this is
sure to have its devotees. There seems to be no stopping Brendan
O’Carroll
*Modern Woman*
I could not put it down, I was totally engrossed…this was a
magnificent read and establishes O’Carroll as a writer who
understands his subject and writes with a feeling and depth that
you would not expect from a comedian. Give it a read
*Big Issue*
Admirers of the moustached comedian’s previous books…will need
little prompting to buy the new one. O’Carroll’s ear for the
conversation of suburban working-class Dublin is as sharp as ever,
and he moves the story along at a smart pace
*Sunday Tribune*
A great story and ample evidence of Brendan O’Carroll’s skill as an
entertainer and raconteur
*The Examiner*
A simple but pacey cops and robbers story with a fair sprinkling of
the kind of humorous flourishes one would expect from O’Carroll….an
enjoyable read
*Tuam Herald*
Fans of Brendan O’Carroll will welcome this latest excursion into
his territory of Dublin’s back streets…after many hilarious
adventures Sparrow emerges a wiser and better man.
*Leinster Leader*
When are we going to be able to buy shares in this man?
*Evening Herald*
'something of a classic tale in the modern mode'
*Books Ireland*
... another fine piece of work by one of this country’s finest
entertainers ...the story is great ... you’ll enjoy this read
*Evening Echo*
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