Jon Kenny remembered as 'larger than life' character at funeral mass

Jon Kenny was laid to rest today following an eclectic funeral mass fitting of his "larger than life" character at St Patrick's Church, Lough Gur, Bruff, Co Limerick where an owl puppet moved through the church during one part of the ceremony.

There was a huge crowd in attendance with many well-known Irish personalities such as Jon's great friend and fellow D'Unbelievables performer Pat Shortt, John Creedon, Sharon Shannon and Richie Kavanagh all paying their respects at the service.

A number of symbols of Jon's life were brought to the altar; a guitar to symbolise his great passion for all music, a Munster flag to highlight his lifelong support for Munster Rugby, a book of poems to represent his love of poetry and his creative imagination, a Limerick flag to celebrate his pride in his home county and finally, a wig to symbolise one of his many performances.

Parish Priest Fr Edward Cleary who performed the mass said it will be hard to go back to doing normal ceremonies in the church after all the music and song at Jon's funeral. He described Jon as "larger than life" and a man who had so much talent be it as an actor, comedian, singer, storyteller or poet.

Fr Cleary said Jon's greatest achievement when you leave aside his artistic aide was being a father, husband and "great family man."

"He gave his time and his talents to so many fundraising events" added Fr Cleary. He spoke about how Jon was involved in so much throughout his life, discussing his major career highlights: It's only when you see it, if you Google him or whatever, not just D'Unbelievables, which introduced him to so many, but also the Banshees of Inisherin, The Van, Angela Mooney Dies Again, Les Misérables and Angela's Ashes... It's a sign of a good career one time when you were on Podge and Rodge.

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"He brought so much life into all that he did." Fr Cleary said the late Limerick actor was a "people watcher" and that he was able to bring that into his shows.

He concluded: "Maybe in the world of today, we need more like Jon Kenny to make our lives that bit brighter, that bit more special and that bit more memorable."

Jon's close friend and RTÉ presenter John Creedon paid tribute to him in a eulogy, saying it was a "sad honour" to be asked to do so by Jon's wife Margie. He said it was a "massive understatement" to call Jon a remarkable man.

Speaking on Jon's interests, Mr Creedon remarked that he loved dogs, horses, plants and stones. "He loved ordinary people and he loved ordinary towns. And if any man anywhere ever loved his wife and children it was Jon Kenny. Jon's life was well lived, it was overflowing with heart and humour. 

Jon's daughter Laya recited a poem following Jon's eulogy and Margie also said a few words.

"Jon just loved people," stated Margie. He adored people and I think all those years ago, I think we met and fell in love in 193 and I think it was the thing that I really loved about him... I was amazed at the fantastic time he had for everybody."

Jon is survived by his wife Margie, his son Aran and daughter Laya. 

Aides-de-Camp to the President Col Stephen Howard and the Taoiseach's Aides-de-Camp Essie O'Connell also attended the funeral.