The puppeteer who brought laughter into the homes of thousands of Irish children in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was laid to rest this morning following Mass at his local church in south Dublin.
Best known for his children's TV series Wanderly Wagon, entertainer Eugene Lambert died last Monday, aged 81.
His wife Mai, children, grandchildren and great grand children were joined by mourners from the world of theatre, television, politics and music in the Church of St Patrick, Monkstown, to mark his departure.
Aide de camp to President Mary McAleese, Capt Martin Larkin, and Comdt Michael Treacy, aide de camp to Taoiseach Brian Cowen, attended. Family friend Fr Michael McGoldrick officiated along with parish priest Fr Michael Coady, former parish priest Fr Maurice O'Moore and Fr Diarmuid McCarthy from RTÉ.
Music for the requiem mass was provided by Liam Ó Maonlaí, who sang Ag Criost an Siol and Sinead O'Connor who sang Make Me a Channel of Your Peace. Local singer Nuala O'Connor performed Amazing Grace.
A wooden model of the red painted Wanderly Wagon and a photograph of Eugene and Mai Lambert, who were married for almost 60 years were among items placed on the altar.
Prior to the start of the ceremony, writer Joe O'Connor paid tribute to Lambert, describing him as a "comic genius", and a "dolmen in a suit, rocking with merriment". He said he had a telepathic connection with children and kept faith with his art forms' possibilities.
"Eugene was a big man in every sense, a man who had known sadness and loss in his personal life but a brave man of passions and joy, a giant of our Irish childhoods", he said.
Prayers were said for his family and for his two sons Jonathan and Stephen who had died before him.
Other mourners included actor Bill Golding, who played Rory in Wanderly Wagon, Frank Kelly, Ardal O'Hanlon, Theo Dorgan, Marion Richardson, Jonathan Ryan, Joe Taylor and author Christopher Fitzsimons.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore was also present as were politicians Mary Banotti and Nora Owen, nieces of the late Nora O'Mahony, who played Godmother in Wanderly Wagon.
