You have to ask what image of its product a stout company is trying to create when it elects to sponsor not just one, but two comedy festivals. Surely not that you take one gulp and laugh outright? Rather that Murphy's is gas stuff altogether, I suppose.

But we Dubliners are laughing either way, because the Murphy's Ungagged Comedy Festival will bring a fine line-up of comedians to Dublin venues on the weekend of November 5th-8th. One can only hope that, if it grows, it doesn't begin to dent the success of Kilkenny's Cat Laughs, which is such a special event.

Among the comedians who will have us rolling in the aisles at various venues, including the atmospheric Da Club, will be: Ardal O'Hanlon, Denis Lear, Owen O'Neill, Lenny Henry, Jason Byrne, Johnny Vegas and Sean Lock.

Tickets are on sale from the Ticket Shop, HMV and local outlets nationwide. Phone 01-4569569 or 01-6777744.