Funnyman Tiernan laughs all the way to the bank

One of Ireland’s best known comedians, Tommy Tiernan may protest that he is not very wealthy but new accounts show combined accumulated profits at his two firms last year jumped to almost €600,000.

Figures from Tiernan’s firms show at the end of last year, the combined profits at his Mabinog companies had increased by €78,289 from €517,101 to €595,390 on the back of extensive touring overseas.

According to accounts just filed to the Companies Office, accumulated profits at Mabinog Ltd last year increased from €67,169 to €157,246 with accumulated profits at sister firm, Mabinog Publishing Ltd, reducing from €449,932 to €438,141.

The cash pile at Mabinog Ltd last year increased from €255,812 to €271,462. The cash at Mabinog Publishing Ltd remained at €828 with money owed by debtors of €438,113.

In a press interview last month, Mr Tiernan said: “I’m not a very wealthy person. I would have earned phenomenal money and it’s all gone. Genuinely, if I stopped working I would probably last about two months.”

The 45-year-old married father of six added: “I think part of me doesn’t respect money, even though the heat is on in terms of bills to be paid every month.”

The Co Meath born man is busy adding to his firms’ coffers with the recent release of his DVD Stray Sod and a gruelling UK and Ireland tour.

Tonight he plays to a sellout crowd at the Claregalway hotel in Claregalway and will perform at Charleville, Ballinasloe and Gort over the next few days before embarking on 13 gigs at Dublin’s Vicar Street venue in January.

The Out of the Whirlwind tour will also take Tiernan to Cork along with multiple dates in Northern Ireland.

Tiernan has long been one of Ireland’s most popular, and controversial, comedians and he last year generated revenues with sellout gigs at Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The directors of the two Mabinog companies are Tiernan and his wife and manager, Yvonne.

He has said previously: “I didn’t get into stand-up for the money. I never thought I would earn a living from stand-up.”

“I think it is a great job. I love it. Getting up in front of people and making them laugh — it’s stunning.”