New poll says Ballymena accents is the ‘funniest in NI’

THE Ballymena accent is the funniest in Northern Ireland, according to a new poll from Magners Comedy Core.

Findings include the general opinion - held by 39 per cent of respondents - that the Ballymena accent is the funniest in Northern Ireland.

Or is that just that Ballymena people tell a joke better?

The findings are a result of some fun online research by Magners Comedy Core at facebook.com/magnersciderni

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This new home for comedy in Northern Ireland encompasses its own, specially created live events, fun packed pub promotions and Magners Fridays - a weekly online celebration of exclusive comedic content plus the chance to claim complimentary pints of refreshing Magners Irish Cider.

Comedy fans who have already been homing in on humour at the Magners Comedy Core tab online were recently invited to give their opinions on who and what makes them laugh loudest.

Patrick Kielty is our favourite Northern Ireland comedian, according to research from Magners Comedy Core.

With 26 per cent of votes polled, Patrick is well ahead of nearest rival Colin Murphy who polled 20 per cent. Newtownabbey’s emerging talent Colin Geddis showed his comedy class polling fourth with 12.5 per cent, tied with the late Frank Carson from Belfast.

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As well as sharing opinions, respondents were invited to reveal their favourite jokes and asked if they thought they themselves were funny.

It seems that, across Northern Ireland around 80% of people think they are just hilarious - but only five per cent of the County Antrim respondents would be prepared to put that to the test in a stand up scenario!

Sarah Ratcliffe, Magners Brand Manager at Tennent’s NI, said: “Magners Irish Cider has, famously, always enjoyed a close connection with comedy, and this latest initiative capitalises on that heritage, drawing together all the elements of Northern Ireland craic, from the quick, quirky and viral, to major live gigs and, of course the in-pub humour which is at the heart of a good night out.

“With thousands of Magners Cider NI Facebook fans clearly hot for humour this summer, we thought it would be fun to research opinions, and then hand the subject back to consumers for some more online debate. We’ve been fascinated at some of the insights and we’re looking forward to keeping the comedy comments flowing.”

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From professional joke tellers on TV, Michael McIntyre came top of the poll, followed by Alan Carr second, and Lee Evans and Peter Kaye in joint third.

Amongst the target 19-25 year old market, Alan Carr ranked highest followed by Dara O’Briain, Noel Fielding, Keith Lemon and Bill Bailey.

And when it comes to the people around us who make us laugh, it appears it is our friends who tickle our funny bone the most.

Sixty-eight per cent of respondents claimed they laughed most with their friends, while only 10 per cent said they laughed most with their partners!

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Sarah added: “There is plenty of room for discussion, but one thing is absolutely certain: everyone who completed our online survey agreed that life is better when you laugh more!”

Magners Comedy Core will continue to help locals to laugh more, not only online but also in-pub, encouraging comic wannabes to try their skills at stand up.

The Magners Comedy Cam state of the art video booth will continue to pop up in various County Down venues to record amateur debuts, the best (and possibly worst!) of which will be uploaded for entertainment.

Running in parallel, the hilarious Magners Laughter Lines is also on tour, adding a whole new dimension to the old ‘Chinese Whispers’ party game!

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Remember to check out Magners Comedy Core online on Fridays for the chance to kick off the weekend with a free pint at participating ‘Magners Fridays’ bars across Northern Ireland.

For news of Magners Comedy Core Live events and to keep up to date with laughs, offers, exclusive live event content and more: Like Comedy – Like Magners Comedy Core at facebook.com/magnersciderni

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