PJ Gallagher's mum Helen remembered as woman who…

PJ Gallagher's mum Helen remembered as woman who 'loved a laugh'

The beloved mother of comedian PJ Gallagher was remembered at her funeral Mass as a woman who was “mad as a hatter” and who “loved a laugh”.

Helen Gallagher died on Saturday at the Mater Hospital in the capital. Mourners gathered for her funeral yesterday at St John the Baptist Church on Clontarf Road in North Dublin.

Her daughter Stacey said she was a “force of nature, one of a kind and kind of impossible to describe. I kind of wish everyone would come up and tell a story because it would just be her”.

Stacey told the congregation how their mother had an “innate kindness and a need to help other people” and chose a career in nursing which reflected that. She told how when Stacey and PJ were adopted, their mother chose a career in nursing “in a sense” and to “open their home to seven paranoid, schizophrenic geriatric men”.

Stacey said: “She wanted to make sure she was home every day for us after school but in fact she kind of made sure she was tethered to the place for the next 15 years. She was a grafter that we all know. She proved that by looking after the patients 365 days a year. Now my dad was there. But you wouldn’t ultimately describe him as helpful.”

Stacey said her mother had no filter – something which her comedian brother PJ inherited from her. She said: “He didn’t lick the sense of humour off the ground either, she was always up for a laugh. She had a way with words and knew how to express herself in ways that were always powerful, emotional and wise. Even if you were just discussing a cup of tea.”

Gifts to the altar included a bottle of Chanel No 5 which she “never left the house without spritzing it” on herself. Dubs and Tipperary jerseys were presented “because she loved watching the Dubs but never missed a Tipp hurling match either”.

A tub of slime was brought to represent the fun her grandkids had with her which they used on Sunday. Her bible was also among the gifts. Fr John Callanan told the congregation that Helen was remembered as a woman who loved a good laugh.

Fr Callanan said PJ told him how one of her hobbies was “going to Mass” as well as watching horse racing on TV and the soaps. He said: “She had a great devotion.” PJ also told Fr Callanan how 19 years ago she got bad news about her health and although she used to slump every now and again, she would bounce back.

Fr Callanan added: “PJ said occasionally she might sink a little bit but then she would come roaring back again. In fact, I half expected her to come roaring back now, he said. So that was kind of her wonderful style. Her faith stayed with her.” Her grandchildren Joey, Tommy and Anna May each read the Prayers of the Faithful. Helen was then buried at Glasnevin cemetery.

Read next:

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here