10:00

I go to a group class in AlloverFitness in Rathfarnham. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t go. I was very sporty at school but didn’t do much for years.

When my daughter was in year four, I went to a spin class with her and I almost died – I left feeling like I had splints up my ass.

It was a wake-up call for me and I’ve been pretty consistent ever since.

11:15

We’ll have a big brunch and then my younger son will go to track and field.

It’s a great time with all the Irish success – with Rhasidat Adeleke also on top, it all feels very local.

1:30 p.m

If I’m traveling outside of Dublin, I’ll start organizing and uploading my camera.

When I first started doing stand up, the advice was not to reveal your material, but that’s all changed now – people love to see you on stage and it’s a good way to promote future shows.

My first gig was at Battle of the Acts in The Ha’penny Bridge Inn and I was instantly hooked.

I thought it was going to be like Eminem’s 8 miles but the public was quite kind to the performances because they knew that many of them were just beginning.

You’d think it would be easier to stick around when you’re well known, but actually, in some ways, it’s easier now.

In the early days, I would hear audible groans when I walked on stage, but now people either buy a ticket to my show or, at a festival, opt to see me.

I first thought that laughter was a useful skill and that it could connect people – even without words – in childhood.

As a young child I was speech delayed and could barely speak, but my teacher liked my laugh. I was very quiet at school when I was very young and had to go to speech therapy.

Even today I hate reading scripts out loud.

16:00

I might start my support act – it’s nice to have chats and the road goes much faster.

I always try to get home after a gig as I’m usually pretty wired anyway.

I prefer to wake up in my own bed and the kids have swimming lessons on Sunday.

I always knew I was funny, but being funny in a room full of strangers is totally different.

When I started, I was very stuck and I didn’t move on stage.

I’m a more confident performer and I’m having more fun now—I’m a lot more free right now.

I’ve played in every type of venue and for every type of audience and there’s always something – from a dodgy microphone to a bathroom on stage to people in the corner watching the arrows.

I like the unexpected. In regular jobs, I’d get bored and tense after about six months of thinking, “Is this it?”

18:30

If I’m performing in Dublin I’ll be at the venue around 6.30pm.

Some country locations might have a little cafe or something, so I’ll have dinner there.

There’s a lot going on – sound check for a comedian is just ‘One, Two’.

I’m a pretty busy person and I’m usually not hungry, but I know if I don’t eat I’ll be ravenous after a concert.

I might grab a sneaky meal before I leave – shrimp and rice or noodles – although I’ve been known to have a sausage batter or a four-in-one from my local chopper.

20:00

I will take the stage at 8:00 PM for 15 minutes. Then I will bring the support. There will be a break and then I will continue for about an hour.

The comedy scene has opened up a lot in the last 11 years. There are more people doing it now and more women involved.

There are still gender issues there… but it’s gotten better. I wanted to be an MC years ago and was blatantly told “people don’t like female MCs” – it’s like people saying people don’t like female voices on the radio – it’s just something someone made up.

My material was different at first too. I wasn’t doing material about being a mother at a midweek gig in the city because the audience just wasn’t interested.

With the variety of different voices and experiences in comedy now, I don’t feel as alien as I did when I first started.

10:30 p.m

I will wait with the audience after a concert to say hello or take photos. I’ve never associated drinking with the gig – I’m going home, driving and in work mode.

If I’m not working, I’m happy to sit in on a Saturday night and treat myself to a takeaway on a real plate with a few drinks.

• Comedian Emma Doran lives in Rathfarnham Dublin with her family.
• Her DILEMMA tour includes a concert on Vicar Street on November 15.
• emmadorancomedy.com