Madhouse

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Nothing about PJ Gallagher's life has followed the usual script. Adopted at six months by Dubliners Sean and Helen Gallagher, PJ spent much of his childhood in his parents' northside pub, often mingling with local alcoholics. The chaos of his early years escalated when Helen, after losing the pub, took in psychiatric patients from a local hospital for 'care in the community,' creating a household of ten—PJ, his sister, his parents, and six lost souls. This led to a wild upbringing filled with the fantastic fantasies of adoption, the challenges of living with inebriated adults, and unconventional experiences like house Masses and Camp Jesus instead of Trabolgan. Struggling in school, PJ left early, discovering his talent for comedy, which led to creating iconic characters on Naked Camera and acting in the groundbreaking The Young Offenders. He also reflects on his mental health journey, including a spell in a psychiatric hospital. Most unexpectedly, he confronts the prospect of fatherhood in his late forties, having always viewed 'family' as a trap. This narrative captures the humorous, insightful, and moving journey of someone striving to make sense of his life while keeping his head above water.