The Mrs Brown’s Boys star paid tribute to her father Brendan O’Carroll on Father’s Day and explained how the holiday has never been a “big deal” in their house growing up
Brendan O'Carroll with his daughter Fiona (Image: Via Instagram story)
Fiona O’Carroll learnt an important lesson from her dad Brendan and uses it with her children.
The Mrs Brown’s Boys star explained that she always knew that she could tell her father anything growing up.
She paid tribute to the comedian on Father’s Day and opened up about their relationship.
As a mum-of-four children herself, Fiona strives to create a safe space for her family.
She told RSVP Magazine: “I learned as a parent that love and patience conquers all but listening is key.
“Sometimes it’s not what your child is saying, it's what they are not saying and learning to read in between the lines.
“All children need is to feel safe and loved. I always felt growing up that I could talk to my Dad about anything and he would love me no matter what.
“As a parent, I just hope that I have created that same safe space for my children and that they never doubt how much I love and adore them….. no matter what.”
With Father’s Day nearly upon us, the actress shared that the holiday was never “a big deal” in her home growing up.
“Except for the usual Father’s day cards that you would make in school and the odd gift if you could afford it at the time,” she explained.
“Although my Dad appreciates gifts and cards on Fathers Day, it’s rare that we are together on this day.
“Nowadays a simple catch up on FaceTime over a giant mug of tea is all he needs to put a smile on his face.”
Throughout her childhood, Fiona and her dad Brendan would spend time together working on puzzles and crosswords.
“He would regularly create puzzles and crosswords for me to solve as a child and once did a massive treasure hunt, leaving clues all over our village for my friends and I to find,” she said.
“It became quite famous amongst my friends and is still talked about to this day. As I got older, we moved on to doing the Irish Times crossword together and we both delighted in my transition from Simplex to Cryptic.
“If we managed to finish the crosswords we would then move on to board games with the rest of the family, where my Dad regularly cheated. It was my favourite weekend activity where we got to spend quality time together.”
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Brendan O'Carroll with his daughter Fiona (Image: Via Instagram story)
She and her dad are “very similar” and joked that Brendan has apologised for that.
“He has often apologised to me saying that I am probably the most like him.
“Thanks to regular visits to my beautician, I now have the moustache under control.
“I've also heard many people say that we both look good in a pair of heels and being five foot nothing I need all the help I can get. Thanks Dad.”
Fiona called her dad “a creative genius and an extremely generous man” and admires these qualities.
“I find his drive, work ethic and sheer determination to never give up a true inspiration. He is probably the hardest working man I have ever known,” she added.
“I’m not sure how I inspire him, that’s something you would have to ask him but he’s certainly not going to jump out of a helicopter any time soon.
“Then again, you won’t see me swinging out of Christmas trees either.”
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