Comedy Award sponsored by Tourism Ireland.

HE WAS a far cry from the dim-witted Dougal Maguire in Father Ted as comedian Ardal O’Hanlon, poised and composed, collected his Irish Post Comedy Award.

The Irish comedian was in great form as he posed for photographs with his legion of fans before and after the ceremony.

Ardal, who was born in Carrickmacross in Co. Monaghan, has recently appeared in the BBC1 sitcom Blessed, written by Ben Elton.

Of course he made his name in Father Ted - but then he proved his talent with another TV hit in the form of My hero where he played a superhero new to earth struggling with the problems of life in suburbia.

And the future? He’s currently working on a new film based around Irish dancing - which will feature fellow Irish Post Award-winner Chris O’Dowd.