A real Irish send-off for Frank McCourt

Hospice rang to sound of Irish songs and readings as Frank breathed his last

• VIDEO / FRANK'S FIRST MOVIE ROLE /CLICK HERE

• PHOTO GALLERY / FRANK IN PICTURES / CLICK HERE

• NIALL O'DOWD / THE FRANK I KNEW / CLICK HERE

 • VIDEO / NEW YORK STATE WRITER'S INSTITUTE  / CLICK HERE

 • ARCHIVE / 1997 INTERVIEW / CLICK HERE

 Family and friends of Frank McCourt gathered at his bedside while he was dying to give him a traditional Irish send-off, IrishCentral has learned.

"It was a wonderful Irish farewell, full of love, humor and sadness; just like Frank," said said one attendee.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Irish songs were sung, poetry recited and McCourt's own works and quirks were recalled.

Another visitor in the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's final days told IrishCentral that one song was particularly poignant, "Limerick, You're a Lady."

The song, of course, refers to McCourt's hometown, and he was known to sing it when family and friends gathered.

He even sang it the famous night in Limerick in 1997 after he was awarded an honorary degree at the University of Limerick, where he was installed as a writer-in-residence. Its sentimental lyrics were dear to the world-famous author's heart:

Limerick, you're a lady
Your Shannon waters tears of joy that flow
The beauty that surrounds you
I'll take it with me love where e'er I go.

While waking in the arms of distant waters
A new day finds me far away from home
And Limerick you're my lady
The one true love that I have ever known.

As children you and I spent endless days of fun
In winter's snow or summer's golden sun
We fished in silver streams, the fabric of my dreams
Was fashioned by your loveliness and so I have to say.

Limerick you're a lady
Your Shannon waters tears of joy that flow
The beauty that surrounds you
I'll take it with me love where e'er I go.

The scene took place at the Manhattan Hospice not far from his New York city residence last Sunday as McCourt breathed his last.

Also there during his last hours was his loving wife Ellen, who had not left his side for several weeks once the severity of his illness became apparent.

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Nster.com