Big-hearted Gabriel Byrne turns out for month's mind for Frank McCourt

Kelly Fincham

Published Thursday, August 20, 2009, 1:02 PM

Updated Thursday, August 20, 2009, 2:50 PM

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Gabriel Byrne at the month's mind for Frank McCourt

Big-hearted Gabriel Byrne showed yet again why he's one of the nicest men in showbiz when he slipped into the month's mind for the late writer Frank McCourt.

The Emmy-nominated actor was deliberately low key as he arrived at the mass which took place at the Franciscan Church of the Holy Name of Jesus at 96th street in New York last night.

He was the only A-list actor to attend the mass which marked the first month of McCourt's death.

Poignantly, the author of "Angela's Ashes" would have celebrated his 79th birthday yesterday.

Instead, his friends and family gathered to remember him and honor him.

The month's mind is an important event for family and friends and Frank's brothers Alfie and Malachy thanked everyone for attending.

Malachy began his eulogy by asking the congregation to join him in singing "Happy Birthday" to Frank.

Many wiped tears from their eyes as they joined the poignant toast to the absent writer.

But Malachy soon turned their tears to laughter when he reminded them of Frank's sense of humor.

"My brother loved institutions," he said, "He loved the institution of marriage so much that he entered it three times."

But, despite the quips, the month's mind was a sombre dignified affair in sharp contrast to the riotous get together last month at the Manhattan Club in Rosie O'Gradys.

In July, more than 200 people - including surprise guest Bill Clinton - attended a get-together at the Manhattan Club at Rosie O’Grady’s in New York.

"They both enjoyed each other's company," said Malachy, "especially when they discovered they shared the same birth date."

Malachy said Clinton - who turned 63 yesterday - was "very sensitive, very respectful and very funny.”

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Big-hearted Gabriel Byrne turns out for month's mind for Frank McCourt

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