Sheila O’Kelly remembers the late DERMOT MORGAN comedian, actor and satirist, on the 25th anniversary of his sad passing on February 28, 1998, aged 45 years.

 

Dermot Morgan, Irish comedian, actor and satirist was born in Dublin in March 1952 to Donnchadh and Hildagarde Morgan. His father died young from an aneurysm, leaving Hilda with four kids, Dermot, Paul, Denise and Ruth, who died in childhood.

In his childhood years, Dermot, who was a Roman Catholic, considered becoming a priest. He later became an Atheist. Dermot was educated at Oatlands College in Stillorgan and in University College, Dublin where he studied English Literature and Philosophy.

During his time in college, he performed in shows writing and acting in comic sketches. After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Philosophy, Dermot taught at Saint Michael’s College on Ailsbury Road, Ballsbridge in Dublin.

He later left his teaching position to become a full-time performer. He came to prominence as part of a team behind the RTÉ television show, The Live Mike presented by Mike Murphy. Dermot played a range of characters including the character, Father Trendy, who appeared between segments of the show.

His act became increasingly controversial and he found himself deemed unacceptable by the broadcasting authorities. He was banned from every radio and television station in Ireland.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own