DARREN Ó FIONNAGÁIN #LIVEBYTHEAXE

Welcome to the second interview in our series of the #LIVEBYTHEAXE campaign. This series will feature some of the men involved with the brand and how they became a part of the Mad Viking Beard Team. We'll travel into their world and get to know them a little better and see what gets them passionate about life and what products they use to grow the best beard possible. If you want to know more about #LIVEBYTHEAXE and what it means check out our ARTICLE HERE on the subject.

Our second interview is about Darren Ó Fionnagáin. Darren is background actor that comes from Castleblayney Ireland with quite a cool resume if you ask me. Darren is a current member of the Mad Viking Beard Team and is currently spending the next 3 months with us in the US on vacation.

So, with that introduction, please tell us a little about yourself Darren?

Darren: So, like you mentioned I am background actor and just got done working on a Netflix production called Vikings Valhalla, which is a follow up to the history channel’s Vikings. My journey into acting is actually a short and sweet one, it was a case of just having the right look and being in the right place at the right time and just having the courage to take the opportunity that was presented to me, as much as I was nervous and hadn’t a clue what I was getting myself into I can honestly say it was one of the best things I could have done, I have had the privilege of working with some really amazing and talented people in front and behind the camera and also on a few different productions since I started my journey into acting such as Vikings, Game of thrones and a recent movie release called The Green knight.

Very cool! I am sure many of the readers have probably seen you in one of these shows at some point. I know we used to make it a drinking game for every time we saw you on Vikings. Some episodes we would get a little tipsier than others lol.

Darren: Yeah, they had me a lot of scenes throughout that series.

I personally thought it was cool when you hit the big screen at the beginning of The Green Knight. We went to watch it on opening day and cheered in the movie theatre as soon as we saw you. Nobody knew what was going on but the 6 six of us. We did explain it to a few people at the end of the movie though.
So, a lot of people always ask me how you got linked up with us here at Mad Viking?

Darren: Yes, again it was the right place at the right time. I was actually introduced through a buddy of mine Phil Rigney.my self and Phil both work on Vikings and one day we got talking about beard comp’s and he started to tell me about the Mad Viking company, from there I got introduced to you and Hall and I found out about the charity aspect of the company and your beard clubs around the world, which I thought was really cool as I had previously done charity work in Ireland helping out the homeless. After a few weeks of talking to Hall, I remember being asked if I would like to be sponsored and I was honored and of course I couldn’t say no, again I was nervous and hadn’t a clue what I was getting myself into, hahaha this seems like a running trend of mine! but again probably one of the best things I could have done.

That was such a long time ago it seems. What was that like 2017 or 2018?

Darren: January 25th, 2018, to be exact! I have the screenshot saved! lol

Well, I can say for the both of us and the whole team here at Mad Viking it has been a pleasure getting to know you and having you on the Beard Team.

Darren: The pleasure is mine brother. I feel like I have been adopted into a brotherhood! I have friends from all over the world because of Mad Viking, I have family in Pennsylvania, New York, South Carolina, Michigan and even out on the west coast in Washington because of Mad Viking and it is what this family does, not only for each other, but for anyone in need, anyone that might need a bit off help, anyone that might need an ear, anyone that just might even need a little smile. People often ask me how do I become a Mad Viking and they would say things like, my beard isn’t good enough or isn’t big enough, I do laugh to myself and tell them, it doesn’t matter about how big your beard is, it matters about how big your heart is. Mad Viking is all about its people, we represent each other, and we share that Mad Viking love with the world.

I couldn’t agree more. That is one of the lesser-known facts about Mad Viking that most people do not know when they hit the company website looking for beard care products.

Darren: For sure brother. The products are grand though as well. Especially that Beard Butter!

Yeah, I am stoked we finally got that released a few years ago. It’s been a great. Is there anything else you use and what are your favorite scents in the collection?

Darren: Honestly, I use all of the Mad Viking product, but I do find myself using the Berserker Beard Butter an awful lot. Especially when I am representing as a Viking on TV on a day-to-day basis! Needless to say, my beard has to be on point. The Beard Butter is the perfect combination of ingredients that will help keep my beard in check and in place when I am staring down a Saxon army standing on a mountain in Co. Wicklow at 6am in January having to deal with the lovely Irish weather, hahaha the butter is a life saver. I am also into the new Berserker Biotin Beard Wash and Biotin Beard Conditioner.

That’s another upgrade we made before we relaunched our new website in June 2021. The new Biotin Beard Wash and Conditioner formula is doing very well. We are getting nothing but rave reviews on it. I’m glad it works well for you.

Darren: It’s a grand combination.

So where can everyone check out your work or see you on social media?

Darren: Everyone can look for me in the Viking's TV Series, The Game of Thrones or in the recently released movie The Green Knight or in the upcoming Netflix series Valhalla.

Sounds good brother. I will also put your social links down below on the article and include some photos of you in the blog of you in action. It was a pleasure talking to you and getting to introduce you more into the world of Mad Viking.

Darren: Thank you brother!


FACEBOOK: Darren Ó Fionnagáin
INSTAGRAM: @Darrenfinn91