The funeral mass of actor, comedian, musician and writer Jon Kenny has taken place in Co Limerick.
Jon Kenny died in hospital on Friday night at the age of 66. He had been receiving treatment this year for cancer and heart failure.
He was remembered with affection and humour by the many who joined his wife Margie, his son Aran and daughter Laya at St Patrick's Church in the village of Patrickswell, close to where he lived.
President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Simon Harris were represented at the funeral by their aides-de-camp.
Many musicians who were friends of Jon, including members of the group Gimik that he joined in his teenage years, were present as well as Sharon Shannon and an ensemble of musicians who performed at the service.
His long-time comedy companion Pat Shortt attended along with a wide circle of Jon’s family and friends.
His neighbours from the village of Holycross where Jon lived in rural east Limerick were also present.
Parish priest Father Edward Cleary described Jon as a man who was larger than life.
He added that they gathered to remember and celebrate Jon and the many sides of his life and to give thanks for his many talents as a comedian, actor, singer and poet, and storyteller.
However, most importantly, he was remembered as a husband and father and brother and friend to so many.
Symbols of his life brought to the altar included a guitar and a book of poetry to mark his great passion for music and his creative imagination.
The Munster and Limerick flags were also brought up to symbolise his lifelong support for the Munster rugby team and his pride in the achievements of the Limerick hurling team.
A wig, which symbolised his many comedic performances was also presented, which brought a light moment of laughter among mourners.
Fr Cleary said Jon was also a great people watcher and able to bring that into his shows, and at the end of the day "we are here to say thanks as he made our lives that much brighter and the world a better place with his performances".
"In our world of today with so much sadness and war we need Jon Kenny to make our lives that bit better," Fr Cleary said.
The song 'The Owl’ was performed and was accompanied by a display of an owl puppet moving through the church and shown to the mourners.
RTÉ broadcaster and author John Creedon paid tribute to his friend saying that Jon Kenny was a remarkable man with the most marvelous gift, and that he had sprinkled that magic dust where ever he went.
Making his address, Mr Creedon said that it was truly a sad honor to do so but an honour nonetheless.
He said that Jon Kenny was a man always guided not by reason but by his heart, and that he also had remarkable pathos and passion for his characters, adding that this had been his hallmark.
Mr Kenny had compassion in spades for the bachelor farmer, the returned emigrant and the town busy-body and nuisance. He had a razor sharp wit, but was also full of kindness. Mr Creedon thanked Jon Kenny's family for sharing him with so many.
"Thanks for all the love and laughs. Our warrior has fallen but he is on the path of truth, " Mr Creedon said.
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