Fans and stars gather in Dublin for funeral of Irish acting legend Brenda Fricker

The Irish Oscar-winner's funeral took place in The Liberties, where she lived for many years. Lots of locals were there to pay their respects.

The funeral service commenced at St. Catherine's Church on Meath Street in The Liberties area at 11am. A private burial will follow.

Fricker had lived in The Liberties for many years. Around one thousand people attended the church on Thursday morning, many of which were locals there to pay their respects and witness the funeral procession.

There was a strong feeling of community at the event. Beautiful drawings from 11-year-old Hollie Martin of Meath Street were attached to the church's railings, paying tribute to the Oscar-winner and her role as 'Pigeon Lady' in the hit Hollywood sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

One of the drawings read: "R.I.P. Brenda. You will forever live on, love from your neighbours in The Liberties".

Another quoted Home Alone 2 and said: "A turtle dove, one for you, one for me.

"We will never forget you. Trust me, your legacy will live on forever."

Other attendees at the funeral included Oscar-nominees Brendan Gleeson and Jim Sheridan, entertainer Twink, and Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron.

Sheridan directed Fricker in My Left Foot, for which she won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar, and The Field.

Former Millwall and Republic of Ireland footballer Richie Sadler was also in attendance at the funeral.

Speaking to JOE, he said he had become friends with Fricker in the last few years after she had agreed to do his podcast.

The podcast episode never happened due to a fall, but he continued to visit the actress.

“She was a beautiful person. She really struggled, but she was open about it,” he said this morning.

Brendan Gleeson was one of the many in attendance at Brenda Fricker's funeral

JOE asked some of the locals in attendance what Fricker meant to The Liberties.

One person said: "She meant an awful lot to The Liberties. She was a lovely person.

"I always saw her with her dogs. She always had time to chat to you if you wanted to. She wasn't one of these that would push you away.

"She was very kind, a lovely person. I've known her for years, walking up and down here.

"You'd have never thought [she was an Oscar-winner]. She didn't go around with airs and graces. She was down to earth. She appreciated what she had and how she got it.

"The people around here loved her. They didn't infringe on her."

Others called her a "legend" and "brilliant lady". One local told JOE: "Wasn't she a lovely person? She was…. Everybody knew her."

Another then added: "She kept to herself, walked up and down with her dogs, very private.

"If anyone did ask her for a picture, she would stop, but it depends what humour you caught her in as well", the local said, laughing.

Another attendee told JOE: "Well, it's only right to show your respect for a legend of The Liberties.

"Brenda was such a big popular figure around the area for her work in My Left Foot… just a renowned Irish actress, and it's only fair you come and show your respects for her.

"Of course, you expect a big crowd because she was very popular amongst the people at The Liberties.

"She had time for everybody, always stopped, always smiled. She loved her animals. She loved her dogs."

Brenda Fricker was born in Dublin in 1945. She worked at The Irish Times before becoming an acclaimed actress whose career spanned six decades across stage and screen.

For her performance in the 1989 Irish biographical drama movie My Left Foot, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

This made her the first Irish actress to take home an Oscar. She dedicated the award to "all the people of Ireland".

Fricker was also known to many for her role in the hit Hollywood sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

On top of this, she had parts in the movies Albert Nobbs, Angels in the Outfield, A Time to Kill, The Field, Omagh, So I Married an Axe Murderer, and Veronica Guerin, as well as the series Casualty.

The actress died last month at the age of 81. Her family said she passed away "peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff in Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross".

"Deeply regretted and lovingly remembered by her niece Billie, nephew Chimo, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, her best friend Liz, neighbours and a wide circle of friends around the world and in Ireland," her family added in a statement.

Earlier this year, Dublin City Council announced that Fricker would be awarded the Freedom of Dublin in recognition of her exceptional contribution to Irish arts and culture.