Tributes are being paid to Brendan Grace, who’s died at the age of 68.
The Comedian, who has strong links to Clare, having ran and pub in Killaloe and lived in the area for a number of years, passed away following a short illness.
Schoolboy ‘Bottler’ there, one of Brendan Grace’s most well known characters and one who helped catapult the Dubliner to fame.
Brendan started his career in a showband, The Gingermen, but when he realised he had a talent for telling jokes between the songs, he turned to stand-up comedy, selling out at venues across the world.
As well as Ireland, he was particularly popular in the UK and US, where he lived.
In 1995, he starred in the Irish film Moondance and the following year, attracted a large following after appearing in Father Ted as a memorable, jungle music loving priest.
The President and Taoiseach are leading tributes to him today.
Michael D Higgins says he has made a contribution to the deep wellspring of Irish wit, while Leo Varadkar says he was an Irish comedy legend.
Fellow comedian Brendan O’Carroll has says “he leaves a legacy of love and laughter that will echo through this land”.
Brendan Grace’s manager Tom Kelly says he was a gentleman.
Here in Clare, Brendan Grace is also being remembered.
He ran Brendan Grace’s Bar in Killaloe until 2011 and lived in nearby Ballina.
Speaking to Clare FM in 2015, he outlined his love for this county.
Brendan Grace is survived by his wife Eileen and their four children.
A book of condolence in his honour has opened at the Mansion House in Dublin.
May he rest in peace.
