The 84-year-old who’s become IRELAND’S SMOOTHEST INFLUENCER

Grandad Billy has become an online sensation alongside his granddaughters – but says until recently he thought going viral meant you were sick!

— Billy has 15 grandchildren in total — but perhaps, as the eldest, 26-year-old Áine has the upper hand. ‘She’s been my best pal since she was born,’ he says simply. ‘We just have great fun together. One of the best presents she got me was this mug which showed a picture of us years ago in McDonald’s on one side — you must have only been about four,’ he says to Áine, who nods and smiles.

‘On the other side, we’re years older, in the pub drinking wine, still laughing away together. He’s an awful messer,’ she says fondly. ‘You can see that through the TikTok videos.’

Indeed you can — from dancing on tables, to ziplining in Amsterdam and even dressing up as Áine, with her clothes and a hair extension ponytail, you’re never quite sure what madcap antics Billy is going to come up with next.

Even when the camera is off him he’s up to mischief and can manage to conjure a bit of fun even in the most serious situations. I ask him how his health is, and the pair of them exchange a look before Billy answers.

‘It’s great — or at least it was up to recently,’ he says, looking at Áine for guidance.

‘He had a mini stroke a few weeks ago,’ Áine says.

‘I’m grand now, and I was fine then too,’ he says. ‘Sure didn’t I manage to get a joke out of it as well.’

Áine looks at him in mock exasperation and explains. ‘So it was a few weeks ago and we had had a lovely night at Dancing With The Stars,’ she says, before Billy continues.

‘We went back to the house and I was looking at my phone and I went to say something and I realised I couldn’t speak. But when Eimear came into the room I started playing up a bit, slurring my words deliberately. I know, I have a weird sense of humour,’ he says, trying to stifle a giggle.

Billy was indeed having a transient ischaemic attack, or TIA, and ended up in hospital. Thankfully today he’s in fine fettle, and not in the slightest bit concerned about his health. He’s too busy enjoying this new lease of life — even if it means he is getting a slagging from his bowling buddies in his North Kildare club. ‘Ah they give me an awful old time alright,’ he jokes. ‘But sure I don’t care, I’m so lucky to be doing all of this,’ says Ireland’s unlikeliest content creator. ‘He’s recognised on the street now, and we did a pop-up event in Liffey Valley recently and people wanted Grandad to sign their products for them,’ laughs Áine. ‘Sometimes we joke that I’m like his PA. I’d have parishioners coming up to me in the street asking me to pass on messages to him. We still try to do one to three videos a week, I don’t want to put pressure on him. This was always supposed to be fun,’ says Áine of her superstar relative. ‘Actually, looking back Grandad, your memory has definitely improved since we started doing the vids. I think it’s because you have to learn so many lyrics,’ she notes.

Billy nods. ‘I’ve a new lease of life with it all.’

So that’s brain health sorted, and other life advice Billy has garnered over the years includes ‘walking away’ from negativity and surrounding yourself with loved ones and family.

‘Don’t get too upset about things, and try not to stress,’ he says sagely. What’s the point in worrying? It’s not going to change a thing.’

Wise words from the smoothest grandad in town.

■ THE Dapper Stick costs €16.99 at thesmoothcompany.com or select Peter Mark stores. Follow Áine and Grandad Billy on Instagram and TikTok @ainekennedyyy