Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker has been remembered as a mischievous and kind “free spirit” who was happiest in the historic area of Dublin where she lived.
Locals applauded as her wicker coffin arrived at St Catherine’s Church on Meath Street, adorned with a green cloth bearing a gold harp and a coat of arms of Dublin.
Fricker, 81, died in Our Lady’s Hospice in Dublin’s Harold’s Cross on July 16 after a period of ill health.
Mourners heard that she wanted her funeral to be “no fuss” with “no grand display” and full of laughter.
Her friend Liz Duffy, described as “her rock”, thanked the local shops in the Liberties that Fricker would go to regularly with her dog, Juno.
These included her hairdresser Jane, who came up to the hospital to do Fricker’s hair when she was ill, Sean from Foley’s pharmacy, who also helped during her illness, her fish shop where she would order “a huge piece of salmon”, Fran the jeweller, and Rachel at Fuscos chipper where “Juno got all her treats”.
“Please, please be happy for her, because that’s what she wanted – smiles and laughter and funny stories.”
Jailhouse Rock was played as Fricker’s coffin was carried out of the church at the end of the service, prompting some people who had gathered outside to dance and sing along.
Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, filmmaker Jim Sheridan, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst, broadcasters Brendan O’Connor and Ray D’Arcy, and costume designer Joan Bergin were among those who attended the funeral service in the Liberties neighbourhood.
Mourners heard that while Fricker won a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance as Bridget Fagan Brown in 1989’s My Left Foot, the trophy was not what mattered to her.
Monsignor Eoin Thynne said she played the role of Mrs Brown “with such truth, such heart, such tenderness that we all felt we knew her”.
“But in truth, Brenda was like that all along. You see, she didn’t have to act kindness; she lived kindness. Her generosity was legendary. She gave freely, gladly, often lightly, expecting nothing in return.”
“She gave freely and brought dignity and truth to every role and friendship. Ireland is prouder because of her.”
He said there was not “an ounce of airs or graces about her”, that she was a “free spirit” who was “full of mischief” and “marched to the beat of her own wonderful, joyful drum”.
“We all know the golden rule of Brenda’s day: never call or text before 12 noon. She liked her mornings, and who could blame her?
“And I’m sure we can almost hear Brenda saying to Peter ‘For goodness’ sake, don’t text or call me before 12′.”
He thanked her neighbours and friends from the Liberties “where she could be herself and was happiest when she was among her own”.
“This was her spiritual home and she soon discovered that she was a Liberty Belle at heart, because the people of the Liberties are a special breed.
“It’s no wonder that Brenda settled here among God’s own people. She loved the old world, the old Dublin, the streets that held stories, the traditions that bind us together, the warmth of a greeting and a helping hand without being asked.”
Filmmaker Tadhg O’Sullivan said he first met Brenda in her house for what would become to be her last film.
“I came away from that meeting feeling strangely noticed, deeply seen, and closely heard,” he said.
“As I got to know Brenda, I realised that this was not unique to me, or to that day. Brenda noticed, she was remarkably attentive to people and to their complexities, attuned to whatever it was that made them uniquely human.
“I began to think that it was this attention, this noticing, that had been a part of her remarkable talent as an actor.”
He also said she also looked for the same level of attention back from others.
“When I saw her for the last time a few weeks ago, she joked that here, on this day, anyone whose attention wavered from the main act – maybe to comment on somebody’s outfit or to notice the beautiful stained glass windows – might find themselves shocked back into focus by a familiar scolding voice emanating from the coffin.”
Filmmaker Virginia Gilbert said that Fricker had said she was “ferocious in her friendships” and had been a friend “by her side” for 15 years.
“When she loved you, she loved fully and deeply, and with her whole self, not consuming, but renewing, boosting and encouraging, warning and admonishing, pleading and vulnerable, and everything so powerfully human and humane.”
Monsignor Thynne said she would often visit the grotto to Mary next to the church and the cinema.
“She was an actor through and through, living her art not just when the camera rolled or when the lights came up, but every single day of her life. She loved an audience. She loved you, her friends, her family, her neighbours, her crew.
“You were her favourite audience of all, she loved the magic of the cinema, the thrill of the curtain rising at the theatre, where stories came alive, and where dreams took flight.
“Brenda lived a life full to the brim, full of love, laughter, stories, kindness, and mischief, and she was very clear about what she wanted today: no tears, no sadness, no fuss.
“This is not a day for sorrow.
“This is a day of celebration, the celebration of a true legend who touched the lives of so many and left us with many, many wonderful memories.”
He added: “The curtain has fallen on this life, but what a performance it was.”
After the service, locals touched the wicker coffin and blessed themselves before the hearse left, drawing applause from locals again.
“She would have been chuffed, really chuffed”, one woman said to another.
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