Actor Colin Farrell was visibly moved as he delivered an emotional homage to his beloved father, Eamon Farrell, at his funeral service in Dublin this past Saturday.
Eamon Farrell, aged 83, sadly passed away on Wednesday following a prolonged illness, surrounded by his loving family and the dedicated staff of Beaumont Hospital's Whitworth Ward in Dublin.
The late Eamon Farrell, who once owned Health Matters and played for Shamrock Rovers, was fondly remembered in his obituary on RIP.ie as the cherished husband of Eileen, the "loving father" to his grown children Eamon, Catherine, Claudine, and Colin, and the "beloved brother" of the departed Tommy, Maureen, and Sean.
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His funeral Mass was held at the Church of Our Lady of Victories on Ballymun Road, with Deacon Derek Leonard and parish priest Fr. Frank Reburn officiating.
Towards the conclusion of the Mass, an emotional Colin Farrell took to the altar to recite 'The Ship' and then proceeded to give a poignant and tear-filled eulogy to his father, reports the Irish Mirror.
"I am so glad you were my dad. I know we had our tricky times but now all I remember are the good times. One of those good times I remember was when I was five years-old sitting on your knee wearing my Spiderman pyjamas playing with my stretchy incredible hulk toy. I think I had hurt my lip at school or something and I was telling you about it - I felt so safe and loved - that memory is so vivid to me now, dad."
The celebrated three-time Golden Globe winner honoured the nurses and carers who compassionately took care of his father during his last year and months, expressing joy that his dad got to witness him become a father and visit him in the States.
With a nostalgic smile, he recalled: "I remember when I used to go out drinking in Dublin, I used to go to bars where all the old fellas would be drinking just so I could tell them you were my dad."
"They would always say 'he was a great player' or 'he had a lovely touch'. I was so proud hearing that, dad."
He added: "Death asks us to do two contradictory things at the same time. One is to learn to let go and the other is to hold on. I will hold you with the rest of my life dad. You did it, Eamo. Thanks for your love. Thanks for the memories. And thanks for being my dad."
A former Shamrock Rovers player, they penned a tribute to Eamon.
"The death has occurred of former Rovers player Eamon Farrell. "Eamon joined Rovers in 1960 at 18 years of age from the famous schoolboy nursery club Home Farm."
"A half back who was a minor and schoolboy Ireland international, Eamonn played alongside his older brother Tommy during his time at Milltown."
"Both were on the team that beat Shelbourne in the FAI Cup final in 1962 played in front of an attendance of 32,000. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
