The Murphy's Ungagged Comedy Festival kicked off on Thursday with a few of the comedians having a good laugh in the Olympia Bar. Jason Byrne, who was supporting Ardal O'Hanlon in the Olympia later that evening, was attending to his nerves while chatting with fellow gag-meisters Barry Glendenning, Deirdre O'Kane, Barry Murphy, and Dermot Carmody. Darryl Downey from MCD, Ann O'Leary of Murphy's, promoter Buzz O'Neill and Darren Smith of EMI records were also looking forward to the festival that has brought Lenny Henry, Denis Leary, and David Baddiel to our shores.