On Saturday, It was confirmed performer Jon Kenny had passed away aged 66. He was known to the country as one half of comedy duo, D’unbeliveables with Pat Shortt. He was also an accomplished musician and actor. He acted in several TV productions like Fr Ted alongside many TV adverts and films like “The Van” and The Banshees of Inishereen.
To say I was devastated on Saturday when the news was confirmed would be an understatement. He was one of my comedy heroes. Along with Pat Shortt they were a staple of my childhood and I apparently could take them off to a tee in my younger days, what a surprise to hear that fact as I paid tribute to him on social media on Saturday.
I was lucky to have met him on a few occasions and in those few moments each time I was like a child chatting to my hero, I felt that tingle of excitement on those occasions.
I met him briefly in September 2023 in Listowel as he had been persuaded to come back and bring his many stories from his days on the road to life on the stage and I am so glad I made the effort to go and see him.
He was a great man to tell a story and paint a picture as he did so, He spent time here in Tarbert on several trips and never failed to stop in to Coolahans on his way through. I still take on some of Jon mannerisms when I am doing certain things or in certain situations.
I will stick on some of the sketches he did as part of D’unbelieveables on occasion like the back of the church or the hurling coach as I grew up around many of the characters portrayed by them in those skits. We all know someone like those characters.
As I mention, I took and still do many of the mannerisms of Jon and Pat, whether I realise it or not. I do it to make people smile as I always had flair to make people laugh. I used their characters in skits in national school and my last time using one was in Tralee Community College in 2010.
Those sketches and the many stories from his many interviews will live long in the memory. His skill as a musician must not be lost either as he was very accomplished playing in bands and on his own over the years. Thanks to YouTube and other sites most if not all these clips or performances can be relived time and again.
On a personal note, thank you for all the laughs over the years Jon and rest easy…..