'One of the greats' - Tributes paid after sad death of D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny
The 66-year-old star rose to fame as one half of the D'Unbelievables alongside Pat Shortt
Tributes are being paid this weekend after the sad death of Irish comedian and actor Jon Kenny.
The Limerick man passed away at Galway Clinic on Friday evening with the news confirmed to the Limerick Leader by his wife on Saturday morning.
Jon Kenny was one of Ireland's most loved actors and comedians, rising to fame in the 1990s as one half of the D'Unbelievables comedy duo with Pat Shortt.
Jon was also an accomplished stage actor and musician. He starred in a number of plays, including The Matchmaker alongside Mary McEvoy and most recently Norma Sheahan.
He also appeared in Father Ted in the 1990s and a number of feature films, most recently in a cameo role in the Banshees of Inisherin, alongside Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and longtime collaborator Pat Shortt.
Jon battled cancer a number of times during his career and once took a break from the stage to fight it. He revealed that his cancer returned last year and earlier this year said treatment was "going well."
In March, he said: "It came back again now last year, so, I’m just on treatment for that at the moment. But it's good the treatment is working. It's all going well, I'm very lucky. Some shows I'm doing is just to see how my body is going to hold up doing some travel, some work and some live performances.”
After news of his death filtered through on social media, tributes began flooding in for the Limerick legend. The Taoiseach Simon Harris was one of the first to pay tribute.
"Irish Comedy genius and incredible stage and screen actor," one person wrote as they paid tribute, adding, "I used to record radio ads for D'unbelievables. Himself and Pat Shortt, together were rural comedy dynamite. Sleep well John, you were one of the greats."
Another said: "Very sad news about Jon Kenny, a staple of the stage in Limerick for as long as I can remember. From D’Unbelievables success with Pat Shortt then TV/film roles from Father Ted to the Banshees of Inisherin, and local work treading the boards. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Jon."
A third wrote: "Jon Kenny was an absolute icon. He was a comic genius & gave years of joy to so many people. He will be sorely missed."
Another tribute read: "So sad to hear about Jon Kenny, every house had a copy of D’unbelievables back in the 90s and that brilliant performance as the Eurovision host on Fr Ted. The shop attendant dealing with the young lad picking sweets was one of my favourites. Rip you brought us so many laughs."