Dave Allen on The Irish Wake, 1979

Dave Allen explains the unique nature of Irish humour with some of his own fine story telling.

Back for a performance in Dublin, The City where he was born, Dave Allen talks about the often darkly comical take on life in Ireland.

2Irish humour is a magnificent black humour."

For Dave Allen, Ireland is the only place in the world that really accepts death. He describes the ritual of the wake as a marvellous celebration.

The wake is a joyful occasion.

Dan Allen tells the story of a man arriving in a small town in Ireland following the death of a local woman who was hated by everyone in the town. Unsurprisingly, the tale has a humorous ending.

This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 6 October 1979. The presenter is Gay Byrne.