Ferbane man stars in national ad campaign for ESB

Ferbane man Tadhg Devery has come to national attention of late for his starring role in a billboard advertisment for the ESB.

The talented local actor said: “It's good exposure for myself. Billboards are popping up everywhere.”

In a video accompanying the ad, Tadhg is seen talking to a washing machine and asking if it's a good time to put it on. “It's a bit comedic."

He was “absolutely delighted” when he was offered the part. “My agent sent me a brief for the job. I sent him a self tape. They called me back for a second audition through a Zoom meeting with directors and producers. That went really well. Within the next day they offered me the part,” he explained.

The Offaly actor said the ESB will turn the advertisement into a massive campaign in the next few months. Speaking about the positive reaction, Tadhg said: “I'm getting people sending me selfies with billboards. I was driving in Kilmainham (in Dublin recently) and there was a billboard the size of a cinema screen with me on it. It's on buses in Dublin as well.”

“It initially started off before Christmas as a pilot and now they're reaching out in a big way,” said Tadhg.

The advertisement video can be viewed on YouTube by searching for the 'Is this a good time... to use your washing machine?' video on ESB Networks' channel.

It centres on empowering electricity customers to take control of their energy usage by providing them with relevant and timely information about their their habits.

Until the end of March 2023, the ESB will be sending emails and text messages that will provide customers that opt-in to the pilot programme with advice to help them shift their energy usage without changing how they live their lives.

Tadhg previously won a Best Supporting Actor award at the Dublin International Film Festival for his role in the Irish zombie apocalypse film 'Follow the Dead which was filmed in Ferbane and rural West Offaly.

He also starred in a major TV advertisement campaign for Tipperary Crystal which was broadcast on RTE and Virgin Media in the run-up to Christmas 2018 and saw him playing the role of a father travelling home to his family for the holiday season.

Tadhg has also done some modelling in the past and reached the overall finals of the Mr British Isles Elegant Model Competition in 2018, where he represented his native county.

He is the son of Marie and Tim Devery from Clonlyon, Moyclare.