Joanne McNally will headline Dublin’s 3Arena on December 5 and 12, 2026 — the first Irish female comedian to sell out the 13,000-capacity venue for a solo show. Born in County Roscommon on May 7, 1983, and adopted as a baby by a family in Killiney, County Dublin, McNally turned a PR career detour and a brutally honest one-woman show about bulimia into one of the most remarkable comedy trajectories in Irish entertainment history.
She co-hosts My Therapist Ghosted Me with Vogue Williams, a podcast pulling over 2.5 million monthly listeners. She finished second on Channel 4’s Taskmaster Series 17. She sold out 23 consecutive nights at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre. And her current tour, Pinotphile, is crossing the UK, Ireland, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand through the end of 2026.
Early Life — Adoption, Killiney & Finding Her Voice
McNally was adopted at birth and raised in Killiney, a seaside suburb south of Dublin, by a middle-class family. Her biological mother was 16 years old at the time; her biological father left before Joanne was born. She grew up with an older adopted brother, and her adoptive father passed away during her teenage years.
She has spoken publicly about discovering her adoption as a child and the complicated feelings that followed. In 2024, she reconnected with her biological half-brother Paul after he reached out via social media — a reunion she discussed openly on her podcast. According to the Irish Independent (2020), McNally has described the tension between “the version of life you were supposed to have versus the chaotic, hilarious version you actually got” as a driving force behind her comedy.
McNally attended University College Dublin (UCD) and initially pursued a career in public relations and copywriting. She has traced her sharp observational style back to growing up in Killiney with what she calls a “pure Southside Dublin” accent — though she was born in Roscommon, the Killiney upbringing shaped her voice, her worldview, and eventually her stage persona.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joanne McNally |
| Date of Birth | May 7, 1983 |
| Birthplace | County Roscommon, Ireland |
| Raised In | Killiney, County Dublin |
| Adoption | Adopted at birth by the McNally family |
| Education | University College Dublin (UCD) |
| Early Career | Public relations & copywriting |
Comedy Career — From Bite Me to the 3Arena
McNally performed her first stand-up set in 2014 after appearing in the stage show Singlehood, where comedian PJ Gallagher spotted her and invited her to support his national tour Concussion in 2015. That same year, she co-wrote and starred in Separated at Birth with Gallagher, selling out Dublin’s Vicar Street — the venue that would later become a personal landmark.
Bite Me — Turning an Eating Disorder Into Comedy
Her breakout solo show, Bite Me (2016), was a one-woman dark comedy about her battle with bulimia and anorexia. Written with director Una McKevitt, it premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival, earning nominations for Best Performance and Best Production. The show later transferred to London’s Vault Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
According to Stellar Magazine (2020), McNally described how comedy became her recovery tool: “Laughing at it takes away its power. You can’t be scared of something you’re making jokes about.” The show’s raw honesty about mental health and eating disorders established her reputation for confessional, fearless stand-up.
The Prosecco Express & Vicar Street Record
Subsequent tours — Wine Tamer, The Prosecco Express, and How to Get to Heaven — cemented McNally as Ireland’s top-selling female comedian. She set a record at Dublin’s Vicar Street with multiple consecutive sold-out shows, a feat covered by the Irish Times (2023). The Prosecco Express alone toured across Ireland, the UK, and international venues including the London Palladium.
Pinotphile & the Historic 3Arena Shows
Her current show Pinotphile launched in late 2025 at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre, where she sold out 23 consecutive nights — a record for the venue. The show tackles situationships, revenge, frenemies, and rejection with what the Irish Examiner called her “joyously nuts” style. Reviews of Pinotphile have praised its tighter structure and darker edge compared to The Prosecco Express.
The 3Arena dates on December 5 and 12, 2026, mark a historic milestone. According to MCD Promotions (2025), McNally is “the first Irish female comic ever to headline the 3Arena,” a venue previously reserved for arena-scale musical acts.
Taskmaster, Big Fat Quiz & TV Career
McNally finished second on Taskmaster Series 17, which premiered on Channel 4 in March 2024, competing against John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Steve Pemberton, and Sophie Willan. Her Taskmaster outfits — particularly a recurring jumpsuit and eye-catching shoes — generated as much social media buzz as her task performances.
She appeared on The Big Fat Quiz of Everything in 2022 and returned for The Big Fat Quiz of Telly on January 9, 2026, alongside Tom Allen, Sam Campbell, Harry Hill, Judi Love, and Susan Wokoma. According to Radio Times (2024), McNally’s panel show style — rapid-fire, unfiltered, and completely indifferent to the fourth wall — made her “the breakout star of Taskmaster’s seventeenth run.”
| TV Show | Year | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taskmaster (Series 17) | 2024 | Contestant — finished 2nd place |
| The Big Fat Quiz of Telly | 2026 | Panelist |
| The Big Fat Quiz of Everything | 2022 | Panelist |
| The Jonathan Ross Show | 2025 | Guest — wore iconic jumpsuit |
| Republic of Telly | 2016–2017 | Co-host (RTE) |
| QI | 2023 | Panelist |
| Live at the Apollo | 2023 | Featured performer |
| Joanne McNally Investigates | 2024–2025 | Host — BBC Sounds series |
| Off Menu Podcast | 2024 | Guest with Ed Gamble & James Acaster |
| Fade Street | 2010–2011 | Appeared in RTE reality series |
Beyond panel shows, McNally hosts Joanne McNally Investigates for BBC Sounds — a documentary podcast exploring cultural conspiracies (including the infamous “Who Replaced Avril Lavigne?” episode). She co-hosted Republic of Telly on RTE, appeared on Virgin Media Television, and has sat alongside Jimmy Carr and Graham Norton on various primetime programmes. Her IMDb page lists credits spanning comedy specials, documentaries, and reality TV dating back to 2010. No Netflix special has been confirmed yet, though industry speculation has been persistent since her Taskmaster breakout.
Pinotphile Tour 2026 — Dates, Cities & Venues
The Pinotphile tour runs from late 2025 through December 2026 across four continents, with confirmed dates in the UK, Ireland, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Most UK and Ireland shows have a running time of approximately 75–90 minutes, with a support act or warm-up act opening select dates. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and individual venue box offices.
Ireland
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 11–15, 2026 | Dublin | 3Olympia Theatre |
| May 29, 2026 | Cork | Cork Opera House |
| May 30, 2026 | Belfast | Waterfront Hall |
| Killarney dates TBC | Killarney | INEC / Gleneagle Arena |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Dublin | 3Arena |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Dublin | 3Arena (SOLD OUT) |
UK
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 3, 2026 | Leeds | Grand Theatre |
| Jun 18, 2026 | Brighton | Brighton Dome |
| Jun 26, 2026 | Manchester | Palace Theatre |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Liverpool | Liverpool Empire |
| Oct–Nov 2026 | Glasgow | Kings Theatre Glasgow |
| Dec 17, 2026 | London | Eventim Apollo (Hammersmith) |
USA, Australia & New Zealand
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 25, 2026 | Los Angeles | Dynasty Typewriter (SOLD OUT) |
| Mar 2026 | New York / NYC | City Winery |
| Mar 2026 | San Francisco | TBC |
| Apr 7–9, 2026 | Melbourne | Comedy Theatre (SOLD OUT) |
| Apr 2026 | Sydney | Enmore Theatre |
| Apr 2026 | Brisbane / Perth | TBC |
| Apr 17, 2026 | Auckland | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre |
| Apr 2026 | Wellington | TBC |
| Apr 2026 | Christchurch | TBC |
According to the 3Arena’s official listing (2025), the December 12 show sold out within hours of going on sale, prompting the addition of a second date on December 5. Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Newcastle, Derry, Exeter, and Galway dates are expected to be announced for autumn 2026. Check joannemcnally.com for the most current schedule and upcoming events.
My Therapist Ghosted Me — The Podcast With Vogue Williams
My Therapist Ghosted Me has averaged over 2.5 million monthly listeners since launching in April 2021, making it one of the most downloaded comedy podcasts in the UK and Ireland. Co-hosted with model and broadcaster Vogue Williams, the show blends unscripted banter about dating disasters, celebrity gossip, and mental health with listener call-ins.
The podcast is produced by Acast and has consistently charted in Apple Podcasts’ top 10 across multiple countries. According to Business Post (2023), Prosecco Pig Ltd — McNally’s production company — generated significant revenue from podcast advertising and live tour revenues. The podcast has hosted guests including Katherine Ryan, Grace Campbell, and Jamie Laing.
My Therapist Ghosted Me has also toured as a live show, including a five-night sold-out run at Dublin’s 3Arena — years before McNally’s solo headline dates. McNally and Vogue Williams have appeared together at events from Wimbledon to Dublin’s Leopardstown Racecourse, and the podcast’s chemistry has made “Joanne and Vogue” a recognizable double act across Irish and UK media.
Personal Life — Relationships, Style & What She’s Really Like
McNally dated model and DJ Alan Byrne — known as the “Diet Coke guy” from a 2014 campaign — for two years after meeting on celebrity dating app Raya in early 2022. She confirmed the split in March 2024 on her podcast, saying simply: “Me and Alan have parted ways.” Before Byrne, she has alluded to previous relationships but kept most details private.
She has stated publicly that she doesn’t believe in marriage and has “outgrown” the concept. She has no children. McNally divides her time between a flat in London and Dublin, with her mother (her “mam”) and brother remaining close family figures. She has been candid about using dating app Raya since the breakup and has joked about her dating history — including past relationships with comedians — being “excellent material and terrible life decisions.”
Fashion, Cosmetic Procedures & Public Image
McNally’s fashion choices generate constant search interest — from the jumpsuits she wears on Jonathan Ross to her designer handbags and statement sandals photographed at events. She has been open about cosmetic procedures including Botox, and has discussed her nose surgery candidly (including a widely shared comment about having “no cartilage left in her nose”). Before-and-after photos circulate on social media, though McNally treats the topic with characteristic dark humour rather than defensiveness.
She has also spoken about weight loss, hair concerns, and using under-eye patches — topics she weaves into her stand-up material. Her Instagram is a mix of tour promotions, behind-the-scenes clips, and unfiltered selfies that have built a following well beyond the comedy circuit. According to the Irish Independent (2020), her willingness to discuss body image, plastic surgery, and her eating disorder history on stage is “part of what makes her so disarming — she leaves nowhere to hide, for herself or the audience.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Joanne McNally?
Joanne McNally is 42 years old, born on May 7, 1983, in County Roscommon, Ireland. She was adopted as a baby and raised in Killiney, County Dublin.
How tall is Joanne McNally?
McNally is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. She frequently wears heels on stage and at events, which contributes to varying height estimates online.
What is Joanne McNally’s net worth?
Estimates place Joanne McNally’s net worth between $1 million and $2 million as of 2025, drawn from sold-out stand-up tours, the My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast, television appearances, and her production company Prosecco Pig Ltd.
Is Joanne McNally married?
No. McNally is not married and has no husband or partner as of early 2026. She has stated she doesn’t believe in marriage. She split from her most recent boyfriend, Alan Byrne, in March 2024.
Does Joanne McNally have kids?
No. McNally does not have children. She has joked extensively about being “unfertilised” in her stand-up material and has said she’s at peace with that decision.
Was Joanne McNally adopted?
Yes. McNally was adopted at birth from County Roscommon by a family in Killiney, County Dublin. Her biological mother was 16 at the time. She reconnected with her biological half-brother Paul in 2024.
How long is a Joanne McNally Pinotphile show?
Pinotphile has a running time of approximately 75 to 90 minutes, not including the support act. Show times and stage times vary by venue — check the specific venue listing for start times, which are typically 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM.
What series of Taskmaster was Joanne McNally on?
McNally appeared on Taskmaster Series 17 (2024) on Channel 4 alongside John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Steve Pemberton, and Sophie Willan. She finished in second place.
Does Joanne McNally have a book?
Yes. Her book of essays, Femme Feral, is scheduled for publication in August 2026. She also ran a popular blog called Eat the Pastry before her comedy career took off.
What is Joanne McNally’s podcast?
My Therapist Ghosted Me, co-hosted with Vogue Williams since April 2021 and produced by Acast. The podcast averages over 2.5 million monthly listeners and has toured as a live show internationally.
From Roscommon to the 3Arena
A comedian who turned an adoption story and a battle with bulimia into sold-out arena shows — that trajectory alone makes McNally a singular figure in Irish entertainment. The Pinotphile tour running through 2026, the podcast still climbing, the 3Arena dates already selling out, and a book of essays on the way. Whatever comes next, the kid from Roscommon raised in Killiney clearly isn’t finished yet.
