THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

TODAY, AUGUST 13

Brendan Comiskey, former Bishop of Ferns, is 82. Mickey Walsh, ex-Irish international striker, is 63. Feargal Sharkey, former Undertones singer, is 59. LeAnn Rimes, pop singer, is 35. David Feherty, retired golfer, is 59. Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker, is 47. Philippe Petit, high-wire artist, is 68. Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, darts legend, is 57. James Morrison, pop singer, is 33.

MONDAY, AUGUST 14

Darren Clarke, Tyrone-born golfer, is 49. Halle Berry, Oscar-winning actress, is 51. Steve Martin, actor, is 72. Danielle Steel, author, is 70. David Crosby, singer-songwriter, is 76. Mila Kunis, actress, is 34. Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, basketball player, is 58. Paddy McGuinness, comedian, is 44. Sarah Brightman, singer, is 57. Gary Larson, cartoonist of The Far Side, is 67.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15

Jimmy Webb, songwriter, is 71. Mikey Graham, singer with Boyzone, is 45. Princess Anne, of our neighbouring island, is 67. Ben Affleck, actor/ director, is 45. Nicolas Roeg, English film director, is 89. JENNIFER LAWRENCE: She’s 27 Rory Best, Ulster and Ireland rugby player, is 35. Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar-winning actress, is 27.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

Madonna, singer/actress, is 59. Ulrika Jonsson, TV presenter, is 50. Angela Bassett, actress, is 59. James Cameron, Oscar-winning movie director, is 63. Evanna Lynch, Irish actress, is 26. Steve Carell, actor, is 55. James Reilly, Fine Gael politician, is 62.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17

Sean Penn, two-time Oscar-winning actor, is 57. Belinda Carlisle, singer, is 59. Robert De Niro, Hollywood star, is 74. Helen Williams, Drogheda-based Bridge player, is 83. Kevin Rowland, singer with Dexys, is 64. Thierry

Henry, former French footballer, is 40. Maria McKee, singer, is 53.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

Rosalynn Carter, former US First Lady, is 90. Roman Polanski, Polish film director, is 84. Robert Redford, actor and Oscar-winning director, is 81. Christian Slater, actor, is 48. Edward Norton, actor who starred in Fight Club ,is 48. Denis Leary, comedian and actor, is 60. Madeleine Stowe, actress, is 59. Richard D James, Limerick-born electronic musician (Aphex Twin), is 46.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

Bill Clinton, former US president, is 71. Matthew Perry, Friends actor, is 48. Jill St John, Bond girl in Diamonds Are Forever, is 77. Lee Ann Womack, country singer, is 51. Ginger Baker, drummer with Cream and Blind Faith, is 78. Mary Joe Fernandez, former tennis player, is 46. John Deacon, Queen bassist, is 66. Kevin Dillon, actor brother of Matt, is 52. Ian Gillan, singer with Deep Purple, is 72.