Limerick’s Paschal O’Grady of legendary entertainment duo Tom and Paschal passes away

Comic Paschal O’Grady leaves behind a legacy of laughter and local pride that spanned more than six decades.

Comic Paschal O’Grady passed away aged 93, surrounded by his loving family

Limerick has bid farewell to one of its most cherished entertainers, comic Paschal O’Grady, who passed away peacefully on June 13th, 2025, at the age of 93. Known to generations simply as one half of “Tom and Paschal,” he leaves behind a legacy of laughter and local pride that spanned more than six decades.

Born in 1932 in Ballinacurra, Paschal’s path to the stage began in an unlikely place — the local Scout troop. There he met Tom O’Donnell in 1945, forging a friendship that would blossom into one of Ireland’s best-loved comedy acts. Their natural rapport first shone through in sketches performed at Scout rallies and community gatherings, but it was in 1959 that they truly stepped into the limelight with their first major show, Tom & Paschal’s Christmas Crackers, staged at Limerick’s Mechanics Institute.

Their unique blend of slapstick humour and endearing characters, most famously the two gossipy “shawlies” Kattie and Nonie, quickly won over audiences. The pair’s comedic timing and love of poking fun at everyday Irish life resonated far beyond Limerick. In 1961, Tom and Paschal made history by becoming the first comedy act broadcast on Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) on its New Year’s Eve launch programme Céad Míle Fáilte.

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From there, they took their act across Ireland and overseas. At the height of their fame, they performed multiple sold-out runs at Dublin’s Theatre Royal in 1962 and headlined prestigious venues like London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall — including a memorable St. Patrick’s Day show that drew the Irish diaspora in droves. Despite these successes, Paschal remained fiercely loyal to his Limerick roots. He and Tom always said they performed “for the people, not the press,” and never sought to cash in on their fame by moving abroad.

Paschal told Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick the story of how the two came to work together, saying, “In the scouts, we used to do what they call an indoor rally and then you have the outdoor rally, which was all running and racing, but they had entertainment in the indoor rally. And Tom picked me out, and I was chosen to act in this play called ‘The Stolen Prince’ and I came out very well in that. “Tom had a dance, and fair dues Tom was a great organiser, he had great ideas, and he got this idea of a dance, we performed in St. Michael’s and one night, Tom called me out for a funny Christmas parade. We were all dressed up as various people and he raised quite a bit of money. Then he raised more money, and then to get the dance going.”

Paschal explained the dance became so popular that people would be locked out if they hadn’t arrived on time, saying Tom “had this thing for getting things going”. From there Paschal said he was chosen to play a comedic part in a pantomime organised by Tom which lasted for three years before “Tom decided we should do our own show and we called it ‘Christmas Crackers’.

Off-stage, Paschal was known for his warmth, humility, and devotion to his community. The duo’s shows often raised funds for local causes, and their Christmas productions were a beloved fixture of Limerick’s festive season for over 15 years.

In a tribute shared by his family, Paschal is remembered as a man who brought joy and hearty laughter to countless people, describing his comedic legacy as “a gift of smiles in times when they were needed most.” His death marks the end of an era for Limerick entertainment, but his influence on Irish comedy — and the fond memories he leaves behind — will live on.

Tom, who passed away in 2013, was buried in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery, where Paschal will also be laid to rest on Wednesday. Paschal passed away surrounded by beloved wife Marie, son Emmanuel and daughter Eukaria and is survived by his extended family and many friends who cherish the stories, laughter, and light he brought to their lives. As Limerick mourns, it also celebrates a man who truly embodied the city’s spirit: warm, witty, and always ready with a joke to lift the room.

Thanks for the laughter.

Reposing at Milford Care Centre on Tuesday (17th June) from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Funeral arriving at St. Michael’s Church of Ireland, Pery Square on Wednesday (18th June) for a funeral service at 11am followed by burial in Mount St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Funeral details