On Thursday's version of 'Déise Today', Damien was speaking to a number of people to mark the passing of Irish comedian Brendan Grace, who passed away in the early hours of the 11th July 2019 after a short battle with cancer aged 68.
The Fr Ted actor, who also starred in 2013 TV film Brendan Grace's Bottler, had lived in the US for many years but returned to his native Dublin in early June, where he was first diagnosed with pneumonia, before his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Thousands of messages have been posted by fans across social media recalling fond memories of watching Grace with their families, calling him a "legend of Irish comedy".
Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan said he was sad to hear of Mr Grace's passing.
"He was a big star in Ireland when he appeared in Ted, but you’d never have guessed it from working with him as he was always professional, courteous and patient with us," he tweeted.
President Michael D Higgins said he "learned with great sadness" of the comedian's death.
"As a comedian, Brendan's spontaneous wit and his sense of timing, his obvious delighting in interaction with his audiences, meant that Brendan's sense of humour was drawing from, and itself a profound contribution to, the deep wellspring of Irish wit.
Damien was also talking to Johnny Higgins, who owned the 'Cosy Thatch' in Waterford for many years and where Brendan Grace in his early days did plenty of comedy gigs.
Also talking on his passing was Mario Rosenstock, who is a hugely well known Irish comedian.
Both told of their brilliant memories of Brendan and huge void that he will leave in their lives.
If you want to listen to that piece, you can just click below.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11231943/people-react-to-the-tragic-passing-of-br
Also on the show, Damien was speaking to Paula Dalton, parent of two boys who also have autism.
Paula was on the show to discuss the merging by the HSE of the local waiting list to see a psychologist to asses autism with a regional one that at the moment covers several counties including Wexford, South Tipp, Kilkenny and Carlow.
This would add significant more time onto waiting lists for concerned parents that are already quite long as it is.
This not only frustrates Paula but also her two sons, who don't know how to react in certain situations due to their condition and they say this upsets them a lot.
If you want to listen to that piece, you can just click below.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11231943/paula-dalton-and-her-two-two-boys-talk-a
If you want to listen to the full version of the show, you can just click below.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11231943/deise-today-11th-july-2019
