Derry Girls effect boosts Northern Irish talent at Edinburgh fringe

Louisa Clare Harland and Saoirse Monica Jackson in Derry Girls, which performers from Northern Ireland say has helped the public to be more receptive to their sense of humour. Photograph: Peter Marley/Channel 4

The biggest ever cohort of playwrights, comedians and artists from Northern Ireland are bringing their work to the Edinburgh fringe this year, with performers crediting the success of Derry Girls for putting the country’s writing and comic talent on the map.

There will be 17 shows from Northern Ireland at the fringe this year, which the festival’s chief executive, Shona McCarthy, said was the biggest ever showing for the nation.

“It’s really exciting to see so much work across theatre and comedy. There’s more there than I’ve ever seen,” said McCarthy, who is originally from Northern Ireland.