The late Brendan Mulvaney will be remembered for his community work and rich tenor voice

Carrick-on-Suir has lost one of its most popular and respected people with the passing of Brendan Mulvaney, a life long member of Carrick Musical Society, at the age of 94.

Brendan, who died on March 20 , was born in Chapel Street, Carrick-on-Suir on May 15, 1930 to a family of five brothers and three sisters. The family then moved to Treacy Park in the town.

He married the love of his life Maureen O’Halloran of New Street, Carrick in 1959 and went on to live in Parkside, raising a lovely family of four children Bernadette, Valerie, Sean and Sinead.

Most of his working life was spent in Carrick’s Tannery until it closed in 1985 and later on with the Local Employment Office with his good friend the late Nicky Dalton .

But it was for all his charitable work and helping those in need that Brendan excelled.

He volunteered with the Meals and Wheels with the late Marie Ryan and gave many years dedicated service to Carrick Lions Club in raising funds for various causes.

One project dear to his heart was the building of the hospice rooms attached to St Brigid’s Hospital, which were a great addition to Carrick and the surrounding area and are unfortunately now closed. He visited the patients on a daily basis bringing messages and papers.

He was also part of a group with the late Liamie Doherty, Renee Bowe, Helen Hassey and Denis Dowley, who made monthly visits to entertain patients from the locality in St Luke’s in Clonmel and the Cashel hospitals.

Brendan also played a big part in Carrick’s Daffodil Day collection every March since 1995 along with Marie Walsh and many volunteers. He raised a substantial amount of money for a very worthy cause.

He was always available to help, organise and support any local fundraising events in the town. You could never say no to Brendan.

He was blessed with a rich tenor voice and sang with St Nicholas Choir at an early stage under the late Mrs Mala Shelly.

The highlight of Christmas Eve Mass for many people was Brendan’s rendition of O Holy Night, which always brought a tear to your eyes. He was also called on to sing at many weddings, funerals and social events over the years.

He was a founder member along with the late Bernie Lonergan of the Suir Valley Choir that performs at local churches and social events. He also sang with St Christopher’s Choir with his great friend, the late Liamie Doherty.

Brendan also had a great affection for Glencomeragh and Fr Jimmy Browne and Fr Paddy Pierce in Ferryhouse. He made daily visits to Glencomeragh to spend time in the church and grounds and brought the Ferryhouse boys shows to perform in Carrick every year.

He became a member of Carrick-on-Suir Amateur Operatic Society at an early age and was on stage for its very first production of The Belle of New York in 1950.

It was the first of approximately 55 shows that Brendan was involved in on stage in many leading roles with his great tenor voice.

His most memorable shows were the Merry Widow, Golden Years, Desert Song, Jesus Christ Superstar and White Horse Inn.

He also performed in many pantomimes. He performed on stage with the Society in the Castle Cinema, Foresters Hall, Ormonde Hall, Presentation Hall, Strand Theatre and the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin in 1974 when the Society performed the award winning Golden Years before the late president of Ireland Cearbhall Ó’Dálaigh.

He served as the Society’s chairman and president for many years and was house manager in latter years where he enjoyed meeting and greeting patrons and always had time for a chat.

Brendan celebrated his 90th birthday during the Covid pandemic and the Society organised a drive through at his house with a sing song at a distance. It was a very memorable day.

Apart from music, Brendan had a great passion for sport in all different forms especially horse racing and attended all the local meetings. His involvement with Carrick Davins and Tipperary GAA were well-known.

He attended club matches with his great friends the late Joe Walsh, Sean Daly and the late Fr Denis Fitzgerald in counties Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford such was his love of the game.

He also loved the game of cards and played regular games in many venues.

Some of Brendan’s party pieces over the years were Goodbye from the White Horse Inn and I Did it My Way. He held his audience in the palm of his hand when he sang.

He was always a great man to get a sing song going. In latter years he accompanied his son Sean and Audie Murphy for the weekly sing song in Carrick Day Care Centre. When Mul started singing, you couldn’t stop him. Brendan was an unique character with a heart so big and full of love, compassion and concern for his fellow man and woman.

He will be sadly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. You would always hear Brendan before you saw him with his infectious hearty laugh.

He will be fondly remembered and missed by all in his beloved Carrick Musical Society and especially at show times in the Strand Theatre. The members of Carrick Musical Society wish to extend our sincere sympathy to the Mulvaney family on his sad passing.