The Irish are famous for being able to talk a bit, but these celebrities are taking full advantage of their abilities by demanding five figure sums to appear as corporate after-dinner speakers.
The huge sums were revealed by British agency ‘Speakers Associates’, who represent numerous high profile personalities.
They revealed the most popular Irish person on their books is comedian Dara O Briain, who demands a whopping €55,000 to appear as an after-dinner speaker.
The Co Wicklow born star has seen his popularity in Britain soar over the past few years following his frequent appearances on television as host of shows such as Mock the Week, Robot Wars and Stargazing Live.
Speakers Associates have more than 800 people on their books and rank them into four grades and pay brackets based on their popularity.
They admitted that O Briain has moved up a bracket in the past year to their second top level.
His profile on their website describes him as: “’Britain’s favourite Irishman’, Dara O Briain holds a place at the very top of the stand-up comedy circuit. A popular after dinner speaker, he brings his uniquely likeable style of humour to events of all kinds.”
However, although Speakers Associates describe O Briain as Britian’s favourite Irishman, he isn’t the most expensive.
Former Formula One star Eddie Jordan and Boomtown Rat and founder of Live Aid are the only two Irish born stars in the agency’s top bracket, charging more than €55,000 to make an appearance.
Joining O Briain in the second highest bracket are entertainers such as Graham Norton and Patrick Kielty, and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson.
The third highest grade, which still commands a hefty €22,000 for after-dinner speaking, includes Irish former Taoiseach John Bruton, ex-Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy, economist David McWilliams and London-based comic Ed Byrne.
The only Irish person in the agency’s lowest grade is blind adventurer Mark Pollock, although €11,000 for an evening’s work is still nothing to feel too bad about.
Britain's favourite Irish after-dinner speaker
