‘I Will Carry My Dad’s Spirit With Me’ – Tubridy Pays Emotional Tribute To Father

Surrounded by family and friends, an emotional Ryan Tubridy paid his final respects to his beloved dad Pat yesterday.

The Late Late presenter’s father – a respected doctor at St. John of God’s Hospital – who passed away on Wednesday was praised during the service as a “family man” and a “man who many patients have thanked for saving them from addiction”.

The 76-year-old retired psychiatrist who was married twice and had seven children is believed to have passed away following a short illness.

Hundreds of mourners gathered outside St. John the Baptist Church in Blackrock to pay their final respects including Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Lorraine Keane and the late Gerry Ryan’s wife Moira Ryan.

RTE broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan paid her respects

Tubridy was comforted by his girlfriend Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain and his young daughters throughout the service which included heartbreaking performances by Ryan’s young step-sisters Eloise and Mollie.

First year UCD student Eloise sang, while younger sister Mollie, a fifth-year student at St. Andrews College in Booterstown, was joined by six friends to give a touching acoustic rendition of Mamma Who Bore Me.

Speaking at the funeral mass, family friend Fr Tom Nash spoke of Pat’s “quick wit” and their time as pupils at Blackrock College where they won the schools cup in 1954. 

Lorraine Keane and Moira Ryan outside the Blackrock church

The wicker coffin which was covered in white roses left the Co. Dublin church as a soloist sang You’ll Never Walk Alone and was brought to a private cremation ceremony which was attended by family only.