'Thanks for the laughter': Paschal of famed Limerick comic duo Tom and Paschal passes away aged 93

YOU CAN add the names of Limerick’s Tom and Paschal to the list of renowned comedic duos like Laurel and Hardy, The Two Ronnies, and Morecambe and Wise.

Tom and Paschal have been reunited in the afterlife following the sad passing of Paschal O’Grady, who brought joy and laughter to the world throughout his 93 years.

Paschal, of Ballinacurra, Limerick city, passed away peacefully at Milford Care Centre, surrounded by beloved wife Marie, son Emmanuel and daughter Eukaria, on Friday.

Paschal, Marie and other volunteers of the entertainment group at Milford Care Centre have been cheering up residents for over 20 years. Paschal was still bringing smiles to faces in Milford up to a few weeks ago.

The phrase, “Thanks for the laughter” is included in his death notice. Click 'Next' to see a wonderful selection of photos of Tom and Paschal from the Limerick Leader's archives.

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Tom O’Donnell and Paschal met in the Scouts in 1945 and forged a friendship through their mutual lust for life and laughter.

They first performed their by-now legendary Christmas Crackers show in the Mechanics Institute in 1959 before being booked by Jack Bourke for his City Theatre - a run that would later bring them to stages around the world and national fame.

There are countless career highlights - two appearances in Carnegie Hall, one in the Royal Albert Hall in London, a show for four thousand people in Dublin’s Theatre Royal in 1962, an appearance on the first night of Teilifis Eireann in 1961, the longest running comedy show in in Country and Western show, Jamboree, on the station, and a sell-out run for 63,000 people in the City Theatre over six weeks in 1963.

Tom and Paschal shared the stage with stars like Val Doonican, Chubby Checker and Buddy Holly.

Paschal told the Limerick Leader in an interview in 2013: “They were great times. If we had been even three or four years earlier or later, we might not have gotten in, because it was just that changeover and we were caught between traditional and new showbusiness and had to adapt to that.”

Their style of slapstick humour and sketches captured the imagination. One time, they tried to auction off the Treaty Stone! Tom and Paschal were gifted mimics, played on the Limerick accent in their sketches, used the names of well-known local characters and situations and factories that were in the news at the time.

Those of a certain vintage remember the hilarious duo doing their impressions of the two “shawlies”, Kattie and Nonie. Another Limerick comedian, Dermot Whelan, brought new life to Nonie and her "chawwwklit" in recent years.

Tom and Paschal put on comedy shows in halls and venues all around County Limerick. Many were fundraisers for churches, schools, GAA clubs and other sporting bodies. Years later, while travelling around the country, Tom or Paschal could show friends the clubhouses and school extensions that might not have been built without their fundraising.

They performed their final show in October 1994 in Shannon Airport after decades of brightening people’s lives. The biography of Tom and Paschal, written by Gerard Hannon, is appropriately titled From Campfire to Carnegie Hall. Both comedians were honoured at a Civic Reception by then Mayor Maria Byrne in 2010.

Many beautiful tributes have been paid following Paschal’s passing, including from Peter McNamara and the Milford Entertainment Group.

“His contribution to the entertainment and comedy performance sector, especially in the Limerick and Mid-West region, down the years, was unique. This continued right up to a couple of weeks ago when he was still entertaining the residents at Milford where he and his wife Marie, were dedicated volunteers for over twenty years,” wrote Peter on Rip.ie

Paschal continued to raise many laughs from residents with his own comedy version of "Que Sera, Sera" and an old favourite, "Sonny Boy", acting out the loved "Katie and Nonie" comedy routine from the Christmas Crackers shows of the 60s with a little help from his long time friend and singing partner, Eugene O'Connor.

“He will be sadly missed by all and especially at curtain down every Wednesday at Milford for his rendition of Joseph Locke's 'Goodbye'. 'Goodbye Paschal, rest in peace,” said Peter.

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Tom, who passed away in 2013, was buried in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery, where Paschal will also be laid to rest on Wednesday, after a funeral service at 11am in St Michael’s Church of Ireland, Pery Square.

Paschal will be very sadly missed by beloved wife Marie, son Emmanuel and daughter Eukaria, loving sister Colette, daughter-in-law Kathrine, son-in-law Tim, his cherished grandchildren Anna, Erica and Timothy, brother-in-law Harry Eakins, sisters-in-law Brid Eakins and Siobhan O'Grady, nephews, nieces, extended family and a wide circle of friends from Limerick and afar.

May he rest in peace