Mad, Isn't It? Emma Doran 9781804581636

On a solo trip with her best friend to a Wexford caravan park, a barely 18-year-old virginal (ish) Emma Doran discovers it only takes one time to change your life forever and end up covered in stretch marks.

Finding herself preparing to do her Leaving Cert in a maternity school uniform, hopes of a glittering acting career (which began with a feted primary school performance as middle-aged alcoholic Mrs Hannigan in Annie and culminated in a case of stage fright as Caroline Aherne's famous Sister Mary Immaculate in transition year) are derailed.

Baby in tow, Emma spends her college years getting up at 7 a.m. and going to bed at 8 p.m. instead of staying out 'til 6 a.m. and sleeping 'til noon. By 24, her idea of a good weekend is perusing the aisles of Home Store + More for new cushions to brighten up her living room. But on the verge of turning 30, an opportunity arises, and Emma finds herself back on stage again ...

Mad, Isn't It? is a hilarious and moving story about life, friendship, (young) motherhood and taking risks.

'A hilarious tale of guts and resilience that made me cry when I least expected it.' Sarah Breen

'A must read. I laughed through my tears and delighted in Emma's triumphant spirit.' Deirdre O'Kane

'Hilarious and heartwarming all at once. Packed full of spirit, life lessons, love and laughs. I didn't want it to end.' Amy Huberman

'One of the funniest humans I've ever encountered.' Joanne McNally

Emma Doran's jealousy of the Billy Barry kids came to a boiling point 10 years ago and she decided to do her first stand-up gig at the Ha'penny Bridge Inn. It was obsession at first night after she performed for seven minutes in front of 20 people and she hasn't stopped since, performing at some of the country's biggest venues, including sell out shows at Vicar Street. Emma's hilarious online comedy sketches have garnered a following of almost 150,000 fans on Instagram. She previously co-hosted two podcasts (one with her daughter called You're Grounded and one with Muireann O'Connell called And Another Thing), and she currently co-hosts the podcast Keep It Tight with Deirdre O'Kane. Emma was one of the five top comedians who made up the acclaimed RTE sketch show No Worries If Not, and she also featured regularly on RTE's Republic of Telly, Clear History and Callan's Kicks. She can currently be seen on Amazon Prime's LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland.