Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Christy: We got on well and I will remember him with great love
Moore and O’Donnell pay tribute to late comedian ahead of his funeral tomorrow
CHRISTY Moore and Daniel O’Donnell have shared fond memories of their late friend Brendan Grace ahead of his funeral tomorrow.
Singer Christy, 74, described the funnyman as “fantastic company” and a “great singer, who could burst into song at any minute”.
He laughed as he remembered the 68-year-old’s love for food when they were on tour together in Australia.
Instead of choosing a small, medium or large plate at a buffet while out for dinner one evening, Brendan decided to fill a tray instead with the locals unsure how to react.
Christy also told Marian Finucane on RTE Radio One about having a heart scare and how Brendan was the first one to check in on him in hospital and to see if he’d enough money.
He admitted being closer to the star in the mid-80s and 90s but lost touch with him in recent years, but added: “We got on well and I will remember him with great love.”
While country crooner Daniel, 57, cracked up as he shared a story about living “around the corner” from Brendan in Redgap, Co Dublin, in July 1992.
He said: “It was a Sunday morning after a gig in The Point.
“A few cars arrived at the gate of [ fans] who had come over from England to the concert and they make their way to the house to take some pictures. I looked out and there was one person bowing up and down on their knees as if there was a messiah behind the gate and I eventually realised it was Brendan.
“I don’t know if he was passing or how he came to be there but he knew what to do to make people laugh.
“I’m not sure if the English people knew [who Brendan was] but they were bemused by this person.”
Daniel also spoke of Brendan’s “great friendship” with his mother, adding: “He loved her pancakes. Even when I left Dublin he would still call in when he was up this way [Donegal] and she would whip out the pan and make some pancakes. He was a very kind man.”
Brendan died on Thursday in Galway after a short battle with lung cancer.
A death notice described him on RIP. ie as “Ireland’s beloved Entertainer, Liberty Boy and Grandmaster of Comedy late of Ballina/Killaloe, Jupiter, Florida and Echlin Street, Dublin.
“Cherished husband of Eileen, beloved father of Amanda, Melanie, Bradley and Brendan Patrick.
“Deeply and sadly missed by his loving wife, daughters, sons, grandchildren James, Patrick, and Aiden, sons-in-law Frank and Terry, daughter-in-law Christina, sister Marie, nephew Philippe and his beloved Aunt Wyn, relatives and friends.”
Brendan’s funeral mass will be held in The Liberties tomorrow at 1pm in The Church of St Nicholas of Myra on Francis Street.