The IEF is proud to present Stand-Up for Integrated Education, our annual comedy fundraiser at the Ulster Hall on 08 October 2026!
It unites some of Northern Ireland’s finest comedians for a night of joyful, irreverent fun.
Downpatrick’s finest, Colin Murphy, returns to compère the evening. Colin has been a regular on radio and tv for the last twenty-six years, including as resident panellist on The Blame Game for the BBC. An accomplished stand-up comedian, his 2025 tour ‘Murphy Beaucoup’ played to sell out audiences across Ireland. Colin’s talents as a warm, witty compère are also in regular demand, from hosting the popular ‘Empire Laughs Back’ comedy club at The Empire, Belfast, to MC-ing arena events such as ‘The Cat Laughs Gala’ in the Waterfront Hall.
The bearded Tim McGarry is best known for playing the role of Da in the iconic series Give My Head Peace as well as for hosting tv panel show The Blame Game. Alongside Dr David Hume, he also co-presents the acclaimed BBC Radio Ulster show and BBC NI tv series The Long and the Short of It, which explores Irish history from different perspectives. Tim’s most recent stand-up show, ‘The Height of Nonsense’, toured across the country in spring 2026. With 32 years in the comedy game, his acerbic take on all things local is unmistakable.
Musical powerhouse Emer Maguire returns to the Comedy Night following rave reviews of her appearance last year. Known for her lightning-fast wit and uproarious songs, Emer was recently named one of the UK’s top 10 new comic talents by Channel 4. Following her sold-out tour of ‘Notions’, in Autumn 2026 Emer will embark on a national tour of her new show ‘Perfectly Chaotic’. She has also recently been commissioned by Channel 4 to write and star in the sitcom Socially Awkward, a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of her life as an autistic adult.
New to the Stand-Up for Integrated Education Comedy Night, Dave Elliott is one of the go-to headline acts on the Northern Irish comedy circuit. He is a regular at the acclaimed Lavery’s and the ‘Empire Laughs Back’ comedy clubs. In the autumn Dave is touring his fifth stand-up show, ‘Obsessed’, across the UK and Ireland. Dave is also the host of the hugely popular ‘Sly Guy’ podcast and received a Silver IMRO Award for his BBC show ‘Daddy, What’s A Podcast?’ Alongside his stand-up, Dave is known to TV audiences as fan favourite Brendan Higgins in the hit drama Blue Lights, and has featured regularly as a host on BBC Radio Ulster’s Vinny and Cate show. With his sharp storytelling and relatable charm, Dave has become one of the standout voices of a new generation of Northern Irish comedians.
Tim McGarry said:
I’m delighted to be back in the Ulster Hall to help raise funds for the important work of the Integrated Education Fund.
It’s fantastic to see a new generation of top comedians such as Dave and Emer rallying to support Integrated Education, alongside our favourite MC Colin Murphy. You can expect a night full of silliness, satire, and deep belly laughs. See you there!’
