The Liberties Boy is laid to rest

BRENDAN Grace… ‘Ireland’s beloved Entertainer, Liberty Boy and Grandmaster of Comedy’ was laid to rest on Monday after Funeral Mass in The Church of St Nicholas of Myra on Francis Street.

The Liberties legend, who died aged 68 last week, passed away peacefully at The Galway Clinic, surrounded by his heartbroken loving family, his death notice reads.

The notice on RIP.ie adds: “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.”

 The comedian, entertainer and musician was a native of Dublin’s Liberties, an area he was proud to call home.

“An RTÉ documentary in 1976 focused on Brendan Grace’s roots in the Dublin Liberties and his ‘reminiscences’. He was just 25 years of age – and already a national legend,” Independent.ie reported.

Grace’s daughter Melanie Gillespie said her father had “the kindest, kindest heart”.

“He had heart enough both for his family and a nation and we’re just so proud of that. We were happy to share him,” she told RTÉ’s Liveline.

“Offstage, although he absolutely made us laugh often, he was a different person and I loved that we got that person. Everyone else got the entertainer, we got a more vulnerable version of that,” she said.

“It was the comfort my mam gave him that made his passing so gentle.

“He promised that he would never leave us and we believe that to be true.”

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Eileen, and three other children Amanda, Bradley and Brendan Patrick.

A book of condolences was opened on Thursday afternoon at the Mansion House, Dublin.

President Michael D Higgins was among those paying tribute, saying: “Brendan’s spontaneous wit and his sense of timing, his obvious delight in interaction with his audiences, meant that Brendan’s sense of humour was drawing from, and itself a profound contribution to, the deep wellspring of Irish wit.”

The President extended his condolences to Grace’s wife, Eileen, his four children and his wider family and friends.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “RIP Brendan Grace, an Irish comedy legend.

“You made us laugh so many times, from Bottler to Father Ted and so many others…

“One of the greats. Our thoughts are with Brendan’s friends and family.”

Comedian and actress June Rodgers said Grace was “a wonderful family man” and a talented performer whose singing and comedic gifts made him “an all rounder”.