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James Young (comedian)
Encyclopedia
James Young also known as Jimmie Young, was a comedian born in Ballymoney
, Northern Ireland
and brought up in Belfast
.
He performed both on the stage
and on television
, as well as selling over a quarter of a million records. His stage shows are most closely associated with the Group Theatre
, where his show gained a listing in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running in the world. He also toured extensively across Ireland
, Canada
and the United States
.
He is best remembered for the characters in his sketches, which uniquely reflected the character of the people of Belfast. These included "Orange Lil", "Cherryvalley
Lady", and "Derek the Window Cleaner" from the BBC Radio Ulster
series The McCooeys. He was also one of the first comedians to confront the Troubles
in his material, while still appealing to both sides of the divided community as is captured in his poem It was Sammy Mc Nally what done it about an Orangeman
discovering his beloved Belfast is run by "Fenian
s" in the after life.
A blue plaque
in his memory is displayed at his family's home in Fernwood Street, Ormeau Road
, Belfast
.
Ballymoney
Ballymoney is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 9,021 people in the 2001 Census. It is currently served by Ballymoney Borough Council....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and brought up in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
He performed both on the stage
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
and on television
Television comedy
Television comedy had a presence from the earliest days of broadcasting. Among the earliest BBC television programmes in the 1930s was Starlight, which offered a series of guests from the music hall era — singers and comedians amongst them...
, as well as selling over a quarter of a million records. His stage shows are most closely associated with the Group Theatre
Ulster Hall
The Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
, where his show gained a listing in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running in the world. He also toured extensively across Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
He is best remembered for the characters in his sketches, which uniquely reflected the character of the people of Belfast. These included "Orange Lil", "Cherryvalley
Cherryvalley
Cherryvalley is an electoral ward of Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland.Along with neighbouring Stormont and Malone in south Belfast, Cherryvalley is considered one of Northern Ireland's most affluent and exclusive residential areas with average house prices reaching £2-3m...
Lady", and "Derek the Window Cleaner" from the BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster is one of two Northern Irish BBC radio stations, the other being BBC Radio Foyle located in the city of Derry. BBC Radio Ulster is located at Broadcasting House in the Ormeau Avenue area of Belfast city centre...
series The McCooeys. He was also one of the first comedians to confront the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in his material, while still appealing to both sides of the divided community as is captured in his poem It was Sammy Mc Nally what done it about an Orangeman
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
discovering his beloved Belfast is run by "Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
s" in the after life.
A blue plaque
Blue plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
in his memory is displayed at his family's home in Fernwood Street, Ormeau Road
Ormeau Road
The Ormeau Road is a road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ormeau Park is adjacent to it. It forms part of the A24.-History:Having previously been the home of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, a road was first built in 1815, when it was known more commonly as the New Ballynafeigh Road...
, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.