Funeral of 'Riordans' actor takes place

The funeral has taken place of actor Moira Hoey, who starred in the long-running RTÉ drama The Riordans.

The 88-year-old actor, originally from Cork, died on Monday after a short illness. She played the role of Mary Riordan in the popular Sunday night series from 1965 until 1979. She also had parts in Bracken and Glenroe and worked on films including This is My Father, Angela's Ashes and most recently, The Tiger's Tail.

Mourners in the Church of the Holy Rosary in Greystones were led by her son Kevin and daughters Mary, Bernie and Brenda. She was predeceased by her husband Johnny Hoey who played the part of Francie in The Riordans.

Fr Denis Quinn said Ms Hoey was a woman of great charity, compassion and understanding. She was a "lovely human being" with a tremendous smile and a lovely sense of humour. "She epitomises to me all that is good in humankind," he said. Her son Kevin said her family had a great sense of pride in her achievements and in the fact that she had touched so many people through The Riordans. She was still recognised by fans, years after the series had disappeared into the mists of time, he said.

She was a staunchly independent woman who managed to balance her family and her career "at a time when it was not fashionable for women to do so".

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was represented by aide-de-camp Captain Michael Treacy. Mourners also included Tom Hickey, who played her son Benjy in the series, and screenwriter Wesley Burrowes, who wrote for the show.