There is a common saying: “One must never leave themselves short”. In Breda Larkin’s case, this should not be a problem. With a career in comedy, a new tour on the horizon and plans to take her talents across the water to the US, Irish Country Living believes the Ballinasloe native has a lot to look forward to.

As I sat down and talked with Breda on a warm Wednesday afternoon, the form was good. We talked farming and comedy. We talked about life in the west. She mentioned her new girlfriend Eva. You sense she is in a good place. Her comedy is reflective of that.

Born into the humble surrounding of the Galway countryside, inspiration for a budding comedian was in no short supply, as was the love for the rural life.

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“I would have farmed a good bit from a young age. My brother and I would have done a lot. I would have always been a tomboy, so farming suited me down to the ground.”

Such beginnings allowed for a plethora of comedic material according to Breda. The “love of the Virgin Mary” and “the smell of horse shite and candyfloss at the local fairs” springs to mind.

Her descriptions of rural life are as accurate as they are hilarious. Home is where the heart is. Breda seems to understand this. Expressing it through comedy is as good a means as any. While admitting a happy upbringing, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Breda.

“I was about 24 and I had been living in Dublin for three years. I was feeling sort of lost. I was unsure of myself. Sexuality wasn’t something that was talked about back then in Ireland and I didn’t really want to talk about it.”

Breda’s decision to travel to New Zealand would change all that, however, both from the point of view of her sexuality and her career.

“From a young age, people said that I was funny, but when I went to New Zealand, a few friends out there told me I should go into comedy. It was the first time I really thought of it, so that kind of opened the door.”

Another door soon opened for Breda – one that was very personal for the Galway girl.

“I suppose it was there that I really accepted the fact that I was gay. Before, I didn’t acknowledge it but New Zealand taught me not to fight it anymore, which was liberating.”

While New Zealand gave her the realisation, Galway gave Breda the platform to enter the comedy arena.

“I deliberated with it for a while before a friend invited me to perform in a comedy show in Galway. I had no material at the time and I was entering a total unknown. I wrote a five-minute sketch and of course based it on farming and being a lesbian. At this stage, I hadn’t even told my parents I was a lesbian so it was a very scary experience doing it on stage in front of strangers.”

She started small but from there the wheels began to turn for Breda. With the help of a few more performances, she found her calling.

“Many people continue the standup route. I suppose I was different. I decided to go into theatre. I went back to college to study it six years ago. I love telling stories rather than telling jokes. Stories of growing up, coming out and of the rural life in general. Theatre allows you to do that more.”

It is here she met her comedy partner in crime, Martyna Lawton, and they have been co-writing comedy since. Another fellow writer, Nicola Depuis, was to the fore, aiding her in her show 'The Word of Breda'.

Her one-woman shows, such as The Word of Breda, Other Women’s Marys and Breda’s Way, have proven popular with Irish audiences. The relatable material is something Irish fans adore.

Linking her career with her local rural area is not difficult for Breda either. Nor is her fear of speaking about the problems in rural areas. She raises the issue of the increasing rural and urban divide. The lack of support given to farmers. She spoke about her political interests. Dare I say a budding politician also?

Tomorrow, the future looks bright for Breda. A plan to perform her shows internationally, particularly stateside, is the great aim. Listening to the ambition you wouldn’t doubt her.

And a final word on the woman she is today.

“I suppose I am very lucky I have the support system I have. My family and friends have been so supportive of me, both in my career and in general, so I have a lot to be grateful for.”

Breda Larkin – a name we will be hearing again. CL