Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers yesterday asked mourners at his mother's funeral to give her a round of applause for her life rather than observe a minute's silence. It was more in keeping with the happy, humorous person she was throughout her 50 years on this earth, he said.
Mother of five Geraldine (Geri) Meyers-O'Keeffe, from Glanmire, Co Cork, died at the Mercy Hospital in Cork on Tuesday after a short illness.
Ms Meyers-O'Keeffe was remembered yesterday as a "small woman with a big heart" who was forever gathering clothes for charity or looking to help people in difficult circumstances. Speaking at his mother's requiem Mass at St Joseph's Church in Glanmire, the Golden Globe-winning actor praised his mother. "She was very intelligent, very polite, very sweet and the best mother a son could have.
"Usually at this time you have a moment of silence. My brothers and I discussed this yesterday and my mother really didn't like silence. So I would like you all to stand if you would and if you wouldn't mind please give her a round of applause for her life."
Glanmire parish priest Fr Noel O'Sullivan described Geri Meyers-O'Keeffe's passing as a "tremendous blow" and a "great loss" to her family. He said neighbours and friends had told him of Geri's great sense of humour and keen intelligence.
Ms Meyers-O'Keeffe was known for her involvement in the Penny Dinners charity and was also a member of the Parents' Association at North Monastery School in Cork.
Among the mourners were actor Colin Farrell and his sister Claudine, director Neil Jordan, Tudors actor and singer Maria Doyle Kennedy and actor and writer Pauline McLlynn. A wreath was sent from Cork actor Cillian Murphy who was unable to attend.
Chief mourners included Ms Meyers-O'Keeffe's children Jonathan, Jamie, Alan, Paul and Maria, her partner John O'Neill and ex-husband John O'Keeffe.