Amazing Grace

Three years after his last Cork performance, comedian Brendan Grace returns to the Opera House at the end of the month for a week long show. He talks to Play’s Maria Tracey about how four decades in the entertainment industry have shaped Cork friendships, legendary characters... and a Dino’s addiction.

 “He is one of our own.” That was the turn of phrase used by Cork comedian and panto star, Billa O’Connell whenever Brendan Grace took to the stage on Leeside. The suggestion that he was part of the community in Cork, Grace explains, always made him feel special. “It’s unusual- especially being a Dub- to love Cork so much, as there is always a mythical rivalry between the two counties. However, I'm just very fortunate to be accepted into the city,” he says. With a list of local friends stretching from the legendary Billa to Joe “Mac” McCarthy of the Dixies to performer Tony Hegarty, Grace says that it’s the “camaraderie with the people” he meets- both on a personal level and those on the streets- that has led him to fall in love with the city. “I love the restaurants because I love food. And I love the people because I love the wit. If I had to be pushed, I would say I love going out to Cobh and Kinsale. Just being out on the streets, and taking it all in,” he says.

There is one Cork eatery in particular that Grace has remained loyal to throughout the years; “Dino (Denis Cregan) is an old friend of mine and any time that I pass one of his restaurants, I have to go inside,” he laughs. “Once I was doing a week-long run in Cork, and he sent a taxi every single night to the door at 8.45pm with a feed of fish and chips.”

Despite his evident fondness for the city, Grace explains that he hasn’t performed on stage in Cork for three years. Putting an end to this absence, he will once again don the tuxedo on Monday, February 27th to Sunday, March 4th at the Opera House, marking 41 years in the entertainment industry this year. “It’s from people like Billa and Tony Hegarty that I learnt a lot of my comedy. For that reason, I always ensured that an entire family could be comfortable at one of my shows. Now, I’m not saying it’s squeaky-clean comedy but it is acceptable with everyone. I have people from pre-teens to those aged 100 in the audience,” he says. “Also I do the type of comedy that you don’t have to be Einstein to follow- it’s simple.”