After attending Dublin University, Ardal and friends established Ireland’s first alternative comedy club - The Comedy Cellar, based in Dublin.

In 1994, he won the title of Comedy Newcomer of the Year and was soon spotted by the makers of Father Ted.

He made the role of Dougal Maguire his own and kickstarted his television comedy career. In 1998, Ardal published a novel entitled, Talk Of The Town. It was also published in the US as the dubiously-monickered Knick Knack Paddy Whack.

Ardal has since starred in Big Bad World and was the host of The Stand Up Show. He has guest-starred in shows such as Shooting Stars and 100 Greatest TV Characters.

His most successful role to date has been that of Thermoman - alias mild-mannered shopkeeper, George Sunday - in the BBC sitcom, My Hero. The show has run to three series so far and is still going strong.