Eamon Farrell remembered as a loving father by son Colin at his funeral mass

Olivia Kelleher

Former Shamrock Rovers player and businessman Eamon Farrell has been remembered at his funeral mass by his son actor, Colin Farrell, as having been a gem of a father who was adored by him and his siblings Eamon, Catherine and Claudine.

Mr Farrell, who was in his 80s, passed away peacefully on Wednesday at the Whitworth Ward in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

In a tribute at 10 am requiem mass at the Church of Our Lady of Victories on Ballymun Road in Dublin, Colin said that they were “so glad” to have had Eamon as a father.

“As I grew in to manhood, and particularly as I too became a Dad, all I could and can remember are the good times. More importantly, all I can feel are the good times we shared. Of course I feel them now through the lens of loss, these moments frozen in time.

"Like being five years old and sitting on your lap in my Spider-Man pyjamas with a stretchy Incredible Hulk toy in my hands. I had fallen in to a table or something in school and I need a few stitches on my eye.

"I remember how you sat me on your lap in the living room when you got back from work. You asked me what happened and I remember how safe I felt in that moment after getting back from the hospital. I was just safe sitting there.

"I remember so clearly your arms around me and me trying to figure out the words to tell you what happened. And you looking at me with the strength of a father’s love and concern.

"The feeling of that memory Dad is so vivid. And more so now that you are gone.”

Colin said that the family were delighted that Eamon had found love again with Eileen Pollard whom he married nearly a decade ago.

“Me brothers and sisters are glad to know the joy you felt in the last chapter of your life. It meant so much to us that you found love again and married your beloved Eileen.

"You loved her sons and daughters, and they loved you in kind.”

The Oscar-nominated actor said that his father had a mischievous side. He recalled being a young child on holiday in France with his father, mother Rita and his sisters and brother. Eamon decided he wanted to “sneak in to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.”

“In to an area where nobody was allowed. It was clear it was cordoned off. Not only that but you only had on tight pair of football shorts and no shirt.

"Dad I was only seven but I knew it wasn’t a great idea. But I went with you of course because I would have gone anywhere with you cos I was mad about you you see.

"And when the Palace security received a report of a sun burned man half naked strutting around the ground with a little child in tow we were immediately set upon by two guards and a very well-dressed fellow in a dinner jacket and dress pants who said, ‘Follow me please.’

"You turned to me and you whispered, ‘Just follow me, Wobs’ That's what you used to call me, ‘Wobs’.

"And we walked down one corridor, then another. At one point the security took a left and you swiftly took a right. Cool as anything, no panic.

“I followed you and we legged it around the palace for another cheeky stare and then we were out the gate and free.

"I was terrified, but I was exhilarated. It was so exciting, breaking the rules with you. You were so exciting, you really were.”

The Castleknock native said that his father knew football “inside and out.” Colin spoke fondly of being coached and by him in Castleknock Celtic Football club.

"It was both brilliant and terrifying. All I wanted to do was impress you. It (football) was such a huge part of your life and you passed your love for it onto me in ways that will stay with me forever.

"I remember one day you said to one of my teammates during training, 'Well done, son.’ Harmless enough.

"And I went up to you afterward and I said, 'he's not your son, I am.’

"I'd love to think I was being humorous, but alas, I wasn't. And I know you loved that moment.

"You thought it was gas. You told everyone about it for the next twenty years or so. ‘He’s not your son, I am.’ I loved being your son, dad.

"You were a God to me growing up. And even in my early childhood, in my early adulthood, during my drinking days."Even though I was from the mean streets of Castleknock, I'd seek out the inner city pubs that had all the old fellas in them. So that I could tell anyone who would listen who my Dad was. The famous Shamrock Rovers star Eamon Farrell.

"So I could nonchalantly find a way to drop it in to a bit of banter. And each time I would get the same response “Eamon Farrell was your Da?”

The thrill I would get. Like I was learning about that life you lived before we came in to your world. I remember telling you that each one of them would say the same thing “Jaysus your Dad had a lovely touch of the ball.” I was so proud you were my father.

Colin said that he and his siblings were so grateful to their father for how hard he had worked to provide for them. He said that his father had touched the lives of so many people including the customers he served in his various incarnations as a businessman.

“You started your working life as a footballer. Then you had a fish and chip shop and a few restaurants, a newsagents, a Spar, an import and export business and finally a chain of health food stores which you ran with your dear friend Gareth. You worked so hard all your life.Whether you were “Mr Farrell, or Eamon or Eamo’ people really loved you Dad.”

Deacon Derek Leonard, who was a friend of the late Eamon Farrell, told mourners that death was not the end for their loved one and that his spirit was still alive. He said that Eamon had a generosity of spirit.

“The spirit of Eamon is still alive. When I met Eamon years ago when I was about twelve years of age I worked in the fruit market in town.

My father supplied Eamon with the vegetables for a restaurant called ‘Stockpot’ in Baggot Street.

My father and Eamon were good friends. Eamon would greet you. “Would you have a sausage sandwich and a cup of tea? The place would be hopping with customers. But he would stop. Oh you were the most important person in that scenario. It was quite amazing.”

He said that Eamon always gave people individual time even though he was “like the Lord Mayor and knew everybody.”

“He had a smile that was infectious. He had a laughter. It was more of a chuckle. His hospitality was quite incredible. If you give your full attention and your full person to somebody else and you concentrate on that person you leave all your troubles and everything else ..it is left behind. You are giving to the other person. Eamon had that in spades.”

Mr Farrell was predeceased by his siblings Tommy, Maureen and Sean. In addition to his wife Eileen and his children Mr Farrell he will also be missed by the mother of his children his former wife Rita who attended the mass today with her husband Joel, his eight step children, his five grandchildren, his extended family, neighbours and friends.

The mass was followed by a cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium.