Comedian Joanne McNally: 'I always saw funny side’

Thanks to the encouragement of one special teacher, comedian Joanne McNally found her voice during her school years

"I went to Loreto Dalkey in Dublin for my primary and secondary schooling up until fourth year, when I went to a boarding school in France for a year. Then when I came back, I went to the Institute Of Education for fifth and sixth year. I got on really well in school — too well on the social side if I’m honest.

"I was a total messer, but I was still class prefect when I left Loreto. I loved the craic but I wasn’t malicious and I was the class clown at every opportunity. My comedy does not come from a place of tragedy, it comes from a place of ridiculousness, and that definitely started during my school years.