'I was lucky to be loved like that': Fred Cooke and Julie Jay talk stand up, family and losing a parent

Trying to tour as a couple, leaving the Gaeltacht to learn Irish, and navigating the depths of sudden grief — Fred Cooke and Julie Jay share it all with Deirdre McArdle

Julie Jay and Fred Cooke have to juggle their comedy gigs with raising two children. Pictures: Miki Barlok

Julie Jay and Fred Cooke live in Dingle. It’s a beautiful part of the world, but today, as I drive around the peninsula by Inch Beach, it is glorious. It’s not hard to see why they chose to put down roots here. “I’ll be going for a swim this afternoon,” says Julie as we gaze out at the sea from the window of the Dingle Skellig Hotel.

The couple married in December 2021 in Dingle and have two sons, Ted, aged four and Johnny, aged just 18 months. How do they manage gigging and touring with two young children?