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06 Sept 2025

RIP: Kilkenny says goodbye to talented actor and musician

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam

Kilkenny says goodbye to talented musician and actor

Reporter:

Reporter

28 Nov 2024 12:46 PM

Kilkenny said goodbye to one of its favourite sons last week as Larry Brennan of Mill Road, Gowran and formerly of Coon West Castlecomer passed away.
In an eventful life, Larry was no stranger to the art of performance and he worked on a number of high profile films, including; 'Anne of a Thousand Days' starring Richard Burton, he played the Executioner of Sir Thomas More, he worked on 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves' starring Kevin Costner while he also played a detective on the ITV show 'Minder'.
Born in Coon West, Larry worked on the turf bog in Monagore as a young man before going on to serve his time as a mechanic in Castlecomer.
The local man left for England in 1957, originally travelling to Manchester working as a Catcher in a Trapeze Act in the Circus. This proved to be a very responsible job to as day after day he caught people flying through the air towards him during the performance.
The Kilkenny native stayed in the circus for three or four years and decided then to head for London and start to work as a mechanic. There he met his wife Anne and their daughter Maria was born some years later.
Larry returned to Ireland in 1993 and settled in Gowran where his brother Mick and sister Julia and her husband Les were already living for many years. However, despite his return Noreside, Larry held a deep connection with the UK and travelled back to London frequently.
"Larry was a natural musician and could play some great Irish tunes on the accordion or a mouth organ and we at the Kitchen Session and Ouncel Session remember him best for his singing of wonderful songs like 'The Wayward Wind' 'Fraulein', 'Raglan Road', 'Brennan on the Moor' and the great song 'Skibereen', a spokesperson for the group said.
"Larry will never be forgotten - he just had a lovely way about him - he was so gentle and kind and enjoyed people, music and a good conversation. We at The Kitchen Session remember him singing at Shems Bar and at JBs over the years," they added.
"You will be always remembered. God Rest you Larry."

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