Ambassador of Mirth Hal Roach passes away, aged 84

“Did you hear the one about the Kerryman who was disqualified at the tug of war contest? He was pushing!”

How about: “You know it is summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer.”

That’s the kind of almost sweet and almost wholesome, but thoroughly good-natured kind of humour employed by the veteran funnyman Hal Roach, who died yesterday aged 84. It was also the kind of humour that made him almost rich and almost famous.

Like Frank Carson, the Northern comedian who died two weeks ago, Hal had his catchphrase, which was: “Write it down, it’s a good one.”

Honoured by the Irish Government as an Ambassador of Mirth for his contribution to tourism, he was instrumental in attracting thousands of visitors to this country. He was popular, particularly with American tourists visiting Ireland.

A stand-up comedian in the classic tradition, his warm and uplifting wordplay endeared him to audiences in the US and on his home territory. His audio tapes and DVDs were especially popular on nationwide bus tours.

Among his many fans was Princess Grace of Monaco, who described him as one of the jewels of Ireland.

He released a number of albums, including The King of Blarney and He Must Be Joking, and a number of DVDs such as Hal Roach, the King of Irish Comedy.

Born on Nov 4, 1927, in Waterford, Hal spent over 60 years in showbusiness. He began his career after winning a local talent competition as a boy soprano. He toured with an illusionist and specialised in magic, but later moved to comedy.

He was featured in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest-running engagement of a comedian at the same venue — 26 years making ’em laugh at Jury’s Irish Cabaret in Jury’s Ballsbridge Hotel.

That’s not the only reason the hotel closed... boom, boom...

Write it down — it’s a good one!