WHEN DR Edward Daly was appointed bishop in 1974, he received a telegram from his old friend, comedian Frank Carson, which read: “Congrats on top billing.” It was one of many anecdotes told with obvious affection by Dr Daly, who celebrated the requiem funeral Mass of Mr Carson yesterday, as a personal favour to his family.
Stars of stage and screen, extended family and friends packed St Patrick’s church on Donegall Street, Belfast, where the comic was baptised and later married his childhood sweetheart, now his widow, Ruth.
Mr Carson left Belfast when his showbiz career took off. He spent a short time living in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, where he was twice mayor, before making the permanent move to Blackpool, England, where he and Ruth raised their sons Aidan, Tony and daughter Majella. Since his death from stomach cancer, it has been said his heart remained in Belfast and it was his wish to be buried there.
Mourners included Lenny Henry, Stan Boardman, Dana and Roy Walker. Sportsmen Barry McGuigan, Dennis Taylor and Pat Jennings were also there to pay their respects, as were Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Belfast’s deputy mayor Ruth Patterson and former mayor Alban Maginness.
Members of Mr Carson’s family – which include 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild – carried the trappings of his honouring by Pope John Paul II as a Knight of St Gregory.
