In the Storehouse yesterday for the launch of the Arthur Guinness Projects, Irish actor and current Hollywood heart-throb Chris O'Dowd gave Hot Press his views on the state of comedy in Ireland.

"I think there's some really funny stuff kicking around," he said. "And I see that RTE have just introduced a Head Of Comedy which I think is a really good step. Ireland is the funniest country pound for pound in the world."

Asked why there has been a lack of success for indigenous TV comedy over the years, he said lack of resources and finance is "a big part of it."

"The fact that the national broadcaster didn't have a comedy department isn't going to help comedy. The fact that it is so close to Britain makes it difficult as well. Brendan's show (Brendan O'Carroll's Mrs. Browns' Boys) is so successful over there, but I think it is important that we try to shoot more stuff here. Even stuff like Father Ted and Mrs. Brown's Boys, none of it shoots here and here is a great place to shoot."

O'Dowd revealed he is currently in Ireland to film the third series of his Sky1 comedy Moone Boy, set and shot in his hometown of Boyle, Roscommon.