Comedian Dylan Moran sees profits double to €1.6m

Irish comedian Dylan Moran had a bumper year last year when accumulated profits at his entertainment firm almost doubled to £1.397m (€1.66m).

According to accounts just filed by Moran’s Venus Lucia Productions Ltd to Companies House in the UK, the firm had profits of £654,461 last year to bring the company’s accumulated profits to £1.39m.

During the same 14 month period to the end of September last, the firm’s cashpile increased by £257,472 to £1.06m.

The filings show that the firm recorded a modest profit of £3,045 in its first year in business and continued to record small profits for its first number of years in operation.

The first year the company recorded substantial profits, according to the accounts, was 2009 when profits of almost £700,000 were recorded as Mr Moran’s fame from his TV work resulted in bumper crowds at his live gigs.

The Co Meath native added to his firm’s coffers by touring his stand-up show around the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand last year.

The ‘Off The Hook’ show tour took in some of Ireland’s best-known venues including Dublin’s Vicar Street, the Cork Opera House and the Black Box Theatre in Galway.

Mr Moran, who lives in Edinburgh, left school aged 16 and initially sought to earn a living from cartooning before turning his attention to stand-up.

The comedian has had a long career in comedy and was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Perrier award at Edinburgh when he won the prize in 1996 aged 24.

A career highlight for Moran was the acclaimed Channel 4 comedy series, Blackbooks that he co-wrote with Father Ted creator, Graham Linehan winning two Baftas.

Moran has also appeared in a number of movies including Shaun and the Dead and Calvary.

Mr Moran, who is taking a break from touring, set up Venus Lucia Productions Ltd in 1999.