Nuggets of Wisdom

Watch the full "Oisín & Parents" playlist on the Foil Arms and Hog channel and help expand this article.

How did the lads come up with the idea of filming a sketch about a typical Irish mum and his son? The mother and son comic duo, Anne and Oisín Flanagan, made their first appearance in the sketch "Teaching Computer to Parents" at the beginning of 2017 (filmed in December 2016). This all started with Arms forgetting the camera and sound equipment in his house and going on his holidays - the full story has been told by the lads in Our Top Ten Sketches 2009-2019.

Did Foil and Hog have a winning idea when they were creating this? Clearly, yes! It doesn't matter the FAHns' nationality, they all feel exceptionally close to Oisín (younger ones) or Anne (older ones), as the dynamics between mother and son are similar in every country - it's all based on personal experiences, as FAH have often admitted (true stories). Anne Flanagan, Oisín and his friend Barry are still some of the most well loved characters in the FAHniverse.

## Characters

### Mrs. Anne Flanagan

**WHERE SHE LIVES** - She lives in 23 Cranford Crescent, Dublin, with her family (don't say they live in Kildare, the house is on the border).

**FAMILY & FRIENDS** - She's married to Mr Flanagan. Her husband is an engineer (well a diagnostic consultant for ventilation systems). He played the bassoon in the Rathfarnham Concert Band. Apparently he doesn't know how to buy groceries, loves big Christmas trees (but he doesn't decorate them) and, when he cooks, he tends to use pre-cooked meals.

Her youngest son is Oisín. She often complains about almost everything he does, but she will fiercefully fight for him ouside of the house (she got out of the car and punched, in the face, someone who was angrly honking at a very panicky Oisin) and she flaunts his achievements in front of her acquaintances.

She has some friends (one known is Geraldine) and many acquaintances...although she doesn't like all of them (Mary and Breda were labelled with the same sentence: I cannot stand that woman...).

**AGE** - she doesn't know (as referenced in this outro), so we don't know!

>  I'm 65 years of age! I don't know what age I am, really.
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That said, it seems most FAHns would guess Anne's in her early fifties, which sounds slightly more realistic than mid-sixties, what with having a teenage son.

**LIKES** -  She likes gardening (in her garden: begonias, Acacia plant, Agapanthus plant). She likes Antiques Roadshow. She's interested in art & history (remember the “Renaissance History Folder”?  When she wanted to visit 17 churches with frescoes during a holiday?). She loves a good cup of tea – but it has to be well done or she will refuse it. She fancies Antonio Banderas and likes “Normal People” (the TV series).

**DISLIKES** - finding Barry in her house. People eating food directly from the fridge. People eating the penguins that are specifically saved for Christmas

**TRIVIA** -  She went on holiday to Prague. She spent her summers, as a little girl, in Dunbooey (fictional place in Ireland - not to be confused with Dunboyne, Co. Meath). She's a teacher. She doesn't use the computer so much...or remote control apparently. She uses Kerastace conditioner. She cooks Christmas ham in cider. Follows the Irish Mum Method of the flat 7Up when someone is sick. She's allergic to prawns. She has a beautiful mahogany table in her dining room. She's probably a little bit naive (Prince Aragaba anyone?). She probably has Titanium hands as she can hold a baking tray, taken directly from the oven, without gloves. She learned a TikTok dance (and that was a glorious moment for the viewers).

#### Flanaganisms

* *"He's very panicky"* - as seen in Learning to Drive with your Parents
* *"I am up to my eyes!/ I'm flat out!/ I'm fit to collapse!/ I'm up to hi-do!"* - as seen in When Parents have Visitors
* *"Is it suitable?"* - in Watching TV with your Parents
* *"Chop chop/Lickity spit/Move it, mister/Shake a leg/Don't dilly dally"* - as seen in Parents on First Day Back to School
* *"Clean as you go!"* - as seen in Cooking With Your Parents

#### Anne's other appearances

Our beloved Anne appeared also in other FAH media or events:

* during a Twich live stream (18/02/2019), Hog played PUBG as Anne
* Hog hosted a bingo night as Anne (21/03/2019) for Calcutta Connect
* during a Twich live stream (19/05/2020), Hog played PUBG in character for a bit
* Anne Flanagan hosted a live stream on the 9th of September 2021 and she was great (if you want to know why this left Foil and Arms and the Patreoners in bits laughing, just join the lads on their Patreon account)

Both Anne and Oisín have a cameo at the end of An English Period Drama

### Oisín

*(Pronounced "oh-sheen")*

**WHERE HE LIVES** - He lives in Kildare, I mean Dublin, with his family.

**FAMILY & FRIENDS** - He has an older Brother, we learn that his name is Daniel in one of the sketches; maybe he has a younger sister? – Have a look at our page The FAHrensic Science Lab for a FAHn theory

**AGE** -  He could be between 15 and 17 years old - in Learning to Drive with your Parents he drives the car next to his mum. According to this site in Ireland “once a teenager reaches the age of 14 or 15, he/she starts pestering their parents about wanting to learn how to drive”. In Ireland the minimun driving age is 17. During the 2020 and 2021 last sketches, it is repeated several times that Oisín is going to do his Leaving Certificate - we can supposed he's 17 in these sketches.

A Twitter thread was started by AcademicFAHn enquiring about this issue, and got some interesting responses.

> How old do we think Oisín and Barry are? I was thinking maybe 14 or 15 - but do others think they're younger? They're definitely teenagers. Thoughts?
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* 15-16 : last year at secondary school
* 17, he's always just about to do his Leaving. Eternally not an adult.
* Depends which sketch you're referring to. He would be 17 in the learning to drive one, but I think he's younger in some of the others. He's about 16/ 17 in my head.
* In some ways he's immature, in other ways he's more mature than some 16 year old lads I've met. A mix, like most normal people growing up!
* In the German Exchange sketch, he said he was 16, so between 16-17

**LIKES** -  He likes pasta bolognese (his favourite). He also said he likes Doritos and coke.

**DISLIKES** - He hates fish

**TRIVIA** - Full name: Oisín Robert Flanagan. He studies French at school, and was sent to France to properly learn the language (but this probably didn't help much). On the other hand, Art is his best subject. He plays football, plays the violin (well, not that much) and probably some other instruments (as he was thinking of joining a band with Barry). He plays MMA video game. He can do several house chores like a good lad, but he will moan while doing them (but thanks to his mum he will grow up into a responsible and independent adult... isn't it right? Check the sketch Isolating with Your Parents and draw your conclusions).

#### Oisín's greatest hits

* *"Mum!"* - in every sketch
* *"You can't open the history folder, it could, it, it could break the computer"* - in Teaching Computer to Parents
* *"Ye because you are allergic to fun"* - in Playing Computer Games with your Parents
* *"You're at me"* - in Parents when you're sick

### Barry

*(Pronounced "BARRY!!!")*

**WHERE HE LIVES** - He lives in Dublin/Kildare with his family but he's always sneaking into the Flanagans' house (mainly to find something to eat) when doors are open... and even when they aren't.

**FAMILY & FRIENDS** -  A mum and a dad - we know that Barry's dad is in Portugal (but we don't talk abut that). He's Oisín's best friend and classmate.

**AGE** -  Same as Oisín

**LIKES** - He likes to eat: NUGGETS; Magnum Ice cream; Penguin chocolate biscuits (bread, if he finds nothing else in the fridge)

**DISLIKES** - He doesn't like to eat: fish, chicken, peas, potatoes, cabbage, fish fingers, carbohydrates.

**TRIVIA** – He knows how to break into a house (that little delinquent)

#### Breaking & Entering Barry Style

* *"Door was open"* - in almost every sketch
* *“Garage” “I thought I locked the garage” “Yeah, but if you get the handle and twist it and you shove the shoulders you can open it.” -* in When Your Parents go Away

Most of the time, Barry says he found the door open but, as we have started to know Anne Flanagan a little more, we think that door is actually closed (like all the doors in the house, by now). So, we have some ideas on how Barry gets inside. Here some most likely ways of how Barry entered into the Flanagans's house:

* Barry has found out where Anne keeps keys hidden in the garden
* He climbs through the window
* He enters through the doggy door
* He takes tiles off the roof and climb in through the attic
* He breaks into the deep freeze for penguins and nuggets and bread
* He comes down the chimney (but only during the Christmas holidays)
* Oisín gave him the keys

### Other characters

* a sister - mentioned ("...get rid of your sister's junk"), but then there's also the comment "what sister, you don't have a sister" in Studying with your Parents (Oral Exam).
* the Cavanaughs, next door neighbors (mentioned) - Mary, one of the guests (mentioned)/ Mr. Flanagan as voice saying "goodbye" to guests in the other room? in When Parents have Visitors.
* Barry's parents (mentioned) in Parents when you have Friends Over.
* grandfather, dead (mentioned)/ Oisín's brother (mentioned) in Studying with your Parents (Oral Exam).
* James White, Oisín and Barry's classmate (mentioned) in Parents on First Day Back to School.
* Breda Moynhhan, Anne's acquaintance, played by Arms (later mentioned in Parents when you get Dumped)/ Mena Walsh, dead (mentioned)/ Phelim Corcoran, dead (mentioned)/ Sheila McKenna (mentioned) in When Parents drag you Places.
* Madam Manu, played by Arms/ grandmother (mentioned) in Calling your Parents from Abroad.
* Geraldine, Anne's friend (mentioned)/ Miss Murphy, next door neighbour (mentioned) in When Parents go Away.
* Mary White (mentioned) in When Your Parents Walk In.
* Maureen, Anne's friend/acquaintance (mentioned) in Staycation With Your Parents.
* Mr Gerrity (mentioned), Oisín's Business Studies teacher in Home Schooling Hell.
* Oisín's ex girlfriend (mentioned and nameless) / Bride Moynihan, Anne's acquaintance, (mentioned, she could be the same woman played by Arms in Parents drag you Places, even if the name is spelled in different ways)/ Mrs O'Toole's daughter, Oisín's third cousin (mentioned) in Parents when you get Dumped.
* Math teacher (mentioned and nameless)/ Mr O'Donovan, a teacher (mentioned)/ Mrs Flynn, Business teacher/ Mrs Gaughan, a hostile teacher (mentioned)/ Mr Geraghty, a very friendly teacher (mentioned)/ Mr Doyle, the vice-principal (mentioned)/ Art teacher (mentioned and nameless on YouTube)/ Mrs O'Neill, new English teacher (mentioned)/ the guidance counsellor (mentioned and nameless)/ Mr Rooney (mentioned)/ Music and Drama teacher (mentioned and nameless)/ Shaffrey, Oisín's schoolmate in Your Mother after a Parent-teacher Meeting (new teachers/characters were introduced and names of teachers in the sketch were revealed in the extra bits on Patreon).
* Auntie Rose (mentioned), a recently gone vegan relative/ the O'Connor cousins (mentioned) in When Parents Cook Christmas Dinner.

## Anne, Oisín, Barry & the FAHndom

We have already said it and we do it again: Anne, Oisín and Barry are among the most popular characters played by Foil Arms and Hog. Undoubtedly they are the most recognizable ones (even if there's only a silhouette with curly hair, glasses and a mole, a FAhn's mind goes straight thinking "ANNE!") and we dare every single FAHn out there to buy a Penguin biscuit and not thinking "Barry!".

These characters are loved by so many FAHns that inevitably they became part of several **FAHnArt pieces**. Here some samples you can find online:

In December 2019, Heleendje posted on her YouTube account her Anne Flanagan's Clog Dance, a video with parts of different Anne's sketches where our favorite Irish mum gives advices in the most classic Anne Flanagan's way... perfectly to the tune of Widow Simone's Clog Dance from La Fille Mal Gardée.

In February 2021 another FAHn, cookiemonzster (on Twitter) decided to start doing FAHnart inspired by Foil Arms and Hog's sketches. First inspiration was our Mrs Flanagan, but this artist's works continue to amaze the FAHndom. (Have a look at the Twitter profile!)

In 2021 we have had the first **FlAsH Fiction Contest** organized by academicfahn and supported by FAH themselves. On the 15th of June the winners were announced and among the winners (1st place) and the memorable mentions there are 2 short stories inspired by Anne and Oisín Flanagan (and Barry). Here is where you can find them.

If you don't know the My Mini Mascots you are missing out! FAHns all over the world can commission their favorite FAH character (sending a DM). In 2021, the creator of this lovely handmade dolls made also some mini mascots of Anne, Oisín and Barry.

Do you like the Funko Pop? How about a FAHnko Pop one? Creator of these funny and original figurines is things\_I\_cre8, on Instagram you can see other models with FAH characters. If you want one, DM and commission your favorite, don't dilly dally.

*Do you have a FAHnart inspired by Anne, Oisín and Barry you have done and would like to add? Let us know :)*

## Bonus

Comments from FAH under Anne Flanagan's videos that add something more to the story in the sketches

Comment under Parents when you get Dumped (Facebook, 1st April 2021)Facebook comment 1st April 2021
## Trivia

* FAH bought the uniforms that Oisín and Barry wear in a uniform shop - they are a mix of two different schools uniform. Part of this "outfit" is from the St. Mac Dara's Community College (the other one still unknown)
* Anne's necklace was bought either in a Dunnes store or in a charity shop (FAH cannot remember in which one)

## List of all the Flanagans (and Barry)'s sketches

1. Teaching Computer to Parents - 12th January 2017
2. Learning to Drive with your Parents - 30th March 2017
3. When Parents have Visitors - 1st June 2017
4. Watching TV with your Parents - 17th August 2017
5. Playing Computer Games with your Parents - 1st February 2018
6. Parents when you have Friends Over - 22nd February 2018
7. Studying with your Parents (The Oral Exam) - 12th April 2018
8. Holidays with your Parents - 24th May 2018
9. Parents on First Day Back to School - 6th September 2018
10. Shopping with your Parents - 8th November 2018
11. When Parents Drag you Places - 13th December 2018
12. Morning Bathroom Rush - 24th January 2019
13. Parents When You're Sick - 14th February 2019
14. Calling your Parents from Abroad - 25th April 2019
15. Cooking with your Parents - 18th July 2019
16. When Parents Give you a Lift - 7th November 2019
17. When your Parents Go Away - 20th February 2020
18. Watching TV when your Parents walk in - 2nd July 2020
	1. The Return of Barry...again... and again... and again (outtakes on Patreon)
19. Anne Flanagan Cleaning Tutorial (Exclusive Sketch on Patreon) - 22nd July 2020
20. Staycation with Your Parents - 20th August 2020
	1. Foil's Notebook for 'Staycation with your Parents' (Exclusive Gallery on Patreon)
21. Isolating with your Parents - 8th October 2020
	1. Isolation Extras from Anne and Oisín (outtakes on Patreon)
22. When your Parents won't let you Decorate the Tree - 10th December 2020
23. Homeschooling Hell - 4th February 2021
	1. What was going through Oisín's mind during Homeschooling Hell? (Exclusive Gallery on Patreon)
	2. Homeschooling sketch Bonus Bits (on Patreon)
24. Ann Flanagan's Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle (Exclusive Sketch for Patreon) - 1st March 2021
25. Parents when you get Dumped - 1st April 2021
26. When Parents Ruin Your Summer - 10th June 2021
	1. Behind the Scenes Photo & Diary on Patreon
	2. Extra Bits & Outtakes on Patreon
27. Your Mother after a Parent-Teacher Meeting - 14th October 2021
	1. Your Mother after a Parent-Teacher Meeting - EXTRA BITS on Patreon
28. When Parents Cook Christmas Dinner - 16th Dec 2021

**A FAHntastic Statistic** about the Parents sketches comes from Gemma on Twitter:

>  Did you know that on average the lads make a new Anne & Oisin sketch every 10 weeks. Barry features in 38 percent of them. But in the last two years Arms managed to get Barry in them for 60 percent of the times. Also a very random fact: most sketches came out in winter.
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