Ian featuring in an Irish National Lottery ad back in the ’90s.
Where does one start with a gentleman like Ian O’Flynn? Well, I suppose we could start on the left and work our way around, but sure, the guy is like a modern-day Robin Hood. Not the whole, robbing from the rich thing of course, but see, he’s got so many arrows to his bow, that we’re undecided as to where to begin.
The County Dublin native, an award-winning actor (he took home a national prize for his lead role in a production of Martin McDonagh’s ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ back in 1997), also featured in the television mini-series ‘The Real Charlotte’, which starred Sorcha Cusack, Jemma Redgrave and Patrick Bergin, keeping up something of a family tradition, as his mother, the late Joan O’Flynn, was well-known in County Dublin for her work as a playwright, and was also very much involved in the pantomime scene.
Ian subsequently became a nationally-known face in Ireland, due to his being prominently featured in advertisements for the National Lotto (see accompanying pic). Nowadays however, father-of-four Ian, who runs a volunteer center in County Westmeath, is more known for his association with ‘Facefest’, a family-friendly music and arts festival which he co-founded with his wife Ally, and is held annually at Charleville Castle, Tullamore, County Offaly, which helps raise funds for local causes. This year’s event, which kicks off on June 20th, promises to be the biggest yet, with dozens of musical acts scheduled to perform, and many activities for the kids, and, of course, the young at heart, on offer. For tickets and other festival information, contact: www.facebook.com/facefestirl or email allyofcastle@gmail.com or ioflynn@gmail.com or call 086-1743470. Ian, welcome to The Mike Stand.
What would you like an Ian O’Flynn tribute act to be called?
The Man who shook the world, and then made them better!
When’s the last time you laughed out loud?
Today. I was testing my Lycra knickers and pulled them up over my head. Felt totes Iggy Pop!
What act would you like to have seen perform live?
Led Zeppelin.
What team(s) do you support?
Team Jacob :P, Manchester United, Leinster Rugby, Detroit Pistons, Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Cardinals.
What period in history would you most like to have visited?
Just after the second world war, such a huge opportunity for rebuilding!
What song would you most like to have written?
Let it be by The Beatles
Who or what, would make you leave a room?
Rude and ignorant people, and also, the Dutch! (Austin powers)
What decade rules (and why)?
1990’s by a long mile!
What’s your karaoke specialty?
Way too many as I am that good but maybe, I’ll sail this ship alone. Seasons of Love or currently, my favorite is Just Haven’t met you yet by mickey bubbles but if you are asking for something I nail, it would be Lady Madonna.
What movie role would you like to have played?
Ahh heaor, I am movie nut, I have a few… At the moment. Sonny Weaver in Draft Day, I can relate to him as following the passing of his legend parent, his biggest test came against people looking to exploit it but, he was well able and wiley, reminded me of myself during my time after a big flooding damage in 2009, I manage a volunteer centre.
Have you ever been told you looked like somebody?
Yeah, Brad Pitt ALL the time. But, that’s by me. Others have said William Defoe or (Cringes, Mick Hucknall, when I had my longer and redder hair)
What’s the first album you remember buying?
I think the first album I bought was Now 1, the very first one but, the first single I ever bought was Under Pressure by Bowie and Queen
Who’s your favorite Beatle?
George Harrison
What’s your favorite Christmas song?
Little Drummer Boy, Bing and Bowie
Who’s the most rock and roll person who ever lived?
Jaysus, as in famous? I would think, Keith Richards, personally, I have many legends but maybe Dave Yeates or Ed Griffin.. Ledgeballs both!
What artist/song/genre do you secretly enjoy listening to?
Well, I don’t do anything in secret as I think one should be genuine but, privately, I love to listen to James Taylor. I just think it’s a special me and him moment.
Who would you most like to meet/have met?
I would love to have met Marvin Gaye. Loved his music, loved how he did it all, was devastated whaen he was shot dead and why.
What book can you read again and again?
A Short History of Almost Everything by Bill Bryson. Proper toilet book.
What’s the greatest album ever recorded?
It’s a tie between Sign O’ the times by Prince and 13 songs by Fugazi. I can’t separate them
What artists would you most like to have played with in the band of your dreams (supergroup)?
Drums – Stuart Copeland
Keyboard – Stevie Wonder
Guitar – Angus Young
Lead Guitar – Eddie Van Halen
Other stuff – Bez (Happy Mondays)
What do few people know about you?
I hate confrontation. I really do. But I have learned to be diplomatic but thankfully, I can see mad fuckers coming and can deal with them.
What sitcom character can you most identify with?
Al Bundy
What movie can you watch over and over again?
Draft Day (It’s REALLY GOOD) Reminds me of growing up and watching NFL and also when I lived in the US and weeing the Mile High Stadium in Denver and Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe Az. Now I am thinking of Jerry McGuire… Dammit Mike… Hmm.. Yeah, Draft Day at the moment but I do love the classics too. Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka etc.
Who’s your favorite cartoon character?
Tom from Tom and Jerry.. Such an awfully unlucky cat.
What’s the greatest place you’ve visited?
Phoenix Arizona… It has everything.. And lovely heat!
What’s mankind’s most wonderful invention?
Language, isn’t it great when we can actually say what we mean rather than grunts, google translate is second!
What’s mankind’s most irritating invention?
Grading, it’s overrated! Seriously, maybe politics? It leads to many bad things. It’s not democracy I have a problem with, it’s the politics that go with it.
Who’s the funniest person who ever lived?
Robin Williams based on his live shows, not his movies but, who ever runs the Crumlin Shopping Centre Facebook Page is a genius at one liners and responses. It’s a must look at page.
Who’s your favorite namesake (your favorite other Ian)?
If it is a famous person then Ian McKellen, for some great performances in many of my favorite movies on top of his brilliant you tube stuff with Patrick Stewart, if it is a real person, I have to say Ian Aston, You cannot get any more genuine, real and just god damn nice than that fella!
I really appreciate the opportunity to step up to the Mike… Awesometastic!!!!