Eamon Farrell, father of Colin Farrell, dies after long struggle with illness

Colin Farrell's father Eamon has died following "a long illness bravely borne."

The former Shamrock Rovers player and proprietor of Health Matters passed away on April 9, 2025, surrounded by his family and the staff of the Whitworth Ward at Beaumont Hospital.

Farrell, who was in his eighties, is survived by his wife Eileen and his children Eamon, Catherine, Claudine and Colin.

He is also "sadly missed" by Rita and his step-children William, Keith, Sandra, Aidan, Deborah, Karl, Ciarán and Gary," according to his death notice.

The Shamrock Rovers took to social media to pay tribute to Farrell, who was part of the team that won the 1962 FAI Cup.

"A half back who was a minor and schoolboy Ireland international, Eamonn played alongside his older brother Tommy during his time at Milltown," wrote the football club.

"Both were on the team that beat Shelbourne in the FAI Cup final in 1962 played in front of an attendance of 32,000," they added.

 

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At the 2024 SAG Awards, Eamon was thanked by his son Colin during his acceptance speech after winning Best Male Actor in a Limited Series for his role in the HBO series The Penguin.

"(I have to thank) my mom, Rita, my dad, Eamon," said Colin, "and the two people in my life who have made my life so much more special and so much more meaningful, so much more joyful than I ever truly thought possible - my son James and my son, Henry."

Farrell will be reposing at his home in Glasnevin on Friday evening, April 11, for family and friends.

His funeral will take place on Saturday morning, April 12, at 10:00am at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, on Dublin's Ballymun Road.