Longford panto legend Davy Flaherty 'a bubbling wreck' as he stars on stage with his daughter

With quick wit and extravagant performances, Davy Flaherty brings a smile to people’s faces whenever he gets up onstage. Open to any role, he is a recurring character called “the Dame” who appears in various productions. This year, Longford Panto performed “Cinderella and Billy” which will be performed between December 2025 and January 2026. 

This interview was from the winter 'Longford Life' 2025 magazine.

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LUST: Who or what do you find yourself lusting after today and why?

He’s at the end of his tenure now. Michael D Higgins being at the end of his presidential season and all of that. It’s so sad to see him leave. I hope to bump into him someday. I hope people will understand this is a jest. 

GREED: What should you be cutting down on (non-food or drink) and why?

Typing on X, social media. Conspiracy theories, down rabbit holes for hours. Only need to be there for five minutes. I find myself at night time looking up at the sky for alien spaceships but haven’t seen any…yet. 

GLUTTONY: What one thing could you happily eat or drink until you burst and why?

Chocolate. More chocolate during Christmas for energy for the show. I try to eat protein and energy balls but it ends up being fizzy jellies. Tangfastics are my favourites. They give you that short, sharp burst of energy. And then two hours later, slouching over a chair. The crash usually comes after the show, even though I tell my children not to eat sweets. 

SLOTH: What should you be putting your back into now and why?

A good hard day’s work, which I tend to avoid at all costs. My excuse is with the panto. Every time I sit in the makeup chair, it saps the energy out of me when it’s over, I have to unwind on the couch. 

WRATH: Who or what makes you angry and why?

Man United. If you were to do a trajectory of them over the three seasons, you’d have to turn it upside-down to see an upward trend. So, they’ll spoil every weekend for me. Ten minutes into the match, I know what’s coming. It’s like car crash TV–I have to watch it. 

ENVY: Who are you jealous of and why?

I’m envious of every Liverpool fan in the country, especially family members who are Liverpool fans as they’ve had a field day over the years. I’ve watched their success with gritted teeth. 

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PRIDE: What is your proudest achievement and why? 

My wife and my three children. My dream is coming true this year. One of the reasons to join the panto is to have my daughter onstage with me. It’s the first time she’s old enough, so I’ll be a bubbling wreck. My dream has come true. I need to get my other kids onstage sometime or else they’ll be jealous.