Those of you familiar with the Galway Profile may be wondering why an American comedian is being featured this week. However, native New Yorker Des Bishop gets the solas glas (green light) because he has now relocated to Connemara to master the Irish language!

Des Bishop is well known to the Irish public as the controversial comedian that gave us The Des Bishop Work Experience. However, he is set to become even better known for his next challenge. Des has moved to Connemara for a year in an attempt to master the Irish language and carry out a stand up show as Gaeilge.

Originally from New York, Des moved to Wexford in 1990 and has largely based his comedy on his views of Irish society, describing his shows as "aggressively observational". His refreshing approach to some of Ireland's most controversial subjects captured the public's attention and he has been one of Ireland's most successful comedians ever since.

Des was introduced to the Irish public in 2000 when he appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas. Unfortunately shortly after he began, he had to pull out of the show after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. But in characteristic form, Des turned the experience into something positive by raising awareness of the condition in Ireland.

His next move was to undertake a number of minimum wage jobs, including positions at Abrakebabra and Superquinn. The resulting RTÉ show, Des Bishop's Work Experience, was a runaway success as were his two follow up shows, 'Fitting In' and 'Joy in da Hood'. From minimum wage jobs to tackling some of Ireland's most notorious areas, Des has never been afraid to commit to a project and he has continued this work ethic with his latest project, In the Name of the Fada.

Des has now been in Connemara for seven months and says he can carry out a conversation in Irish but is still a long way from being fluent enough to carry out a stand up show. His enthusiasm about the project is clear and he is adamant that by the time his 12 months are finished, he will be able to converse with even the most hardcore Gaeilgeoirí.

"When I do the stand-up show, I want to perform in front of a highly critical audience. Because I am from America, people think I am doing well to have a few words but there is no point in doing this if I am not going to do it properly," he says.

Des has settled into his new surroundings very well, playing Gaelic football and socialising with the locals. He is currently touring with his new show 'Tongues' and will make an appearance at the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday 20 October. The experience of learning Irish has given him a lot of material for his new show and it has received a great response.