Cork is about to get the full Nelson

Michael Olney

There’s something about the Scottish accent that makes everything at least 15% funnier, which must surely make award-winning Scottish comedian Mark Nelson roughly 115% funny.

Nelson began his debut tour of the UK and Ireland late last year and this Saturday he’ll be bringing his superb show All the Best to one of Cork city’s most iconic venues, Coughlan’s on Douglas Street.

Since winning the inaugural Scottish Comedian of the Year Award in 2006, barely a year after his first ever open-spot, Nelson’s mix of cutting observations, social commentary, and superb one-liners has seen him established as one of Scotland’s best loved comedians.

The multi-award winner’s work has previously featured well-known TV programme’s in the UK such as 'Have I Got News For You', 'Mock The Week', and '8 Out Of 10 Cats'. Nelson is also known for creating one of the BBC’s biggest ever online hits, 'News At 3', which currently has over 250 million views worldwide.

Local newspaper The Scotsman wrote: “Mark Nelson is so much that there is to love about Scottish comedy, and you can see he loves it right back. The kind of comic I could listen to all night.”

“Blistering material which pushes dangerously near the boundaries of good taste,” wrote The Sunday Times.

The Daily Telegraph wrote: “Barbed wit and dark fodder are assured from the Scotsman with a knack for making people laugh about things they know they really shouldn't laugh about.”

Nelson’s awards to date include the Daily Telegraph Critics Choice of the Fringe; Scottish Comedy Award for Best Headliner 5 times; Arts Award Voice Best Fringe Show; and UK Comedian’s Comedian Of The Year 2021.

He has hosted thirteen seasons of BBC Radio Scotland’s 'The Good, The Bad And The Unexpected', and has appeared on BBC Radio’s 'News Quiz' and 'Breaking the News'. On television, Nelson hosts BBC Scotland’s 'Edinburgh Unlocked' (returning this year for its third season) and 'Bad Influencer', alongside appearances on BBC’s 'The Comedy Marathon' and 'Comedy Underground'.

Much in demand as a headliner and festival act, Nelson has played to audiences in Australia, New York, Dubai, and China. He has also featured on the bills of Dublin’s Vodafone Festival, Altitude Festival in The Alps, T In The Park, Kendal Calling, and Rockness.

Mark Nelson plays Coughlan’s in Cork city this Saturday night at 7pm. Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased at coughlans.ie.