It's been announced today that the great Jon Kenny has sadly passed away, aged 66, Kenny was one part of the essential Irish comedy duo D'Unbelievables. Here's a tribute to their genius sketch Back of the Church, which was originally written by Jonathan Byrne in 2021.
Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. Two renowned Irish comedians. When they get together in the same room - it was a pleasure to watch.
The comedy duo that became known as D'Unbelievables originated in Limerick in the late 1980s and gave us hours of enjoyment over the years.
While they're not active to the day - you'll be hard-pressed not to find a videotape of D'Video lying about in most Irish houses across the country.
D'Video was the first of three sketches released for Irish audiences to enjoy. Along with successors D'Telly and D'Mother - they were made into D'Collection in 2005.
It's difficult to point out one particular sketch that stood above the rest. You've 'The Headmaster', 'Crimebusters' and 'The Hurling Coach' to name a few.
But 'Back of the Church' was just the essence of what Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny were all about. Pulling faces, making gestures and replicating Irish culture.
Back of the Church
The church bells ring out as Pat takes his place at the 'back of the church'. Jon joins shortly after and the two quickly erupt into a fit of coughing.
They turn their attention to the mass goers coming down the aisles fairly reminiscent of the auld lads who choose to stand at mass, giving everyone the eyes.
"Jaysus Willie, who's the big one below?" Pat opens with. They then have their trouble recollecting all the daughters of Paddy Walsh.
Vera, Veronica, Vanessa and Valerie. That's right. Then you have Meena, Mina and Mona - that's right yeah the three twins. That's right.
They eventually conclude it's Sue-Ellen - as the two produce a sound akin to a kettle reaching the boil on a gas hob. All of this while mass is going on.
The two then lay out their plans for the day ahead as there's a big match going on in the parish. Jon has the dinner plans prepared course by course. Pat, however...
We said we'd have a clear run of the day. So we had the dinner this morning at half 8.
The dialogue is one thing but the gestures are another, as they are seen belting out the prayer calls, dropping to their knees and brushing their shoulders.
Jon Kenny's facial expressions are something to behold throughout too and even without the words his general presence at the back of the church paints a picture.
They then go through another burst of the coughs but this time it's only affecting Jon - and Pat pulls out the mother of tissues to help him get it all out.
"Jaysus Willie, is that your young fella below?" Pat asks shortly after the coughing spell. The two are bemused he's surrounded by women but Jon has his reservations.
He'll want to sort that out fairly lively. Or he'll end up like his uncle Walter, a fucking hairdresser!
