Thanks for visiting the Seán Crummey Memorial Fund JustGiving page.

The fund has been established in memory of Seán Crummey, political satirist, creator and writer of 'The Folks on the Hill' and supports research into bowel cancer by the Queen's University of Belfast Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology

www.qub.ac.uk/research.../CentreforCancerResearchCellBiology/

Seán Crummey was known by most as the writer and vocal star of television and radio show The Folks on the Hill. Others knew him as the much sought-after stand up comic who spent years working the after-dinner entertainment circuit, after humble beginnings as ‘Johnny Day’ in the late 1990s. To those closest to Seán, he was the most genuine, honest and caring friend, husband and father and could only be described as ‘the ultimate gentleman’. 

Seán Crummey was born on the 23rd December 1957. The fifth of six children, Seán grew up in Norfolk Parade on the Glen Road and became a pupil at St Kevin’s Primary School aged just 3 years old. As a pupil of St Malachy’s College Belfast, Seán enjoyed music, drama and discovered his passion for languages. 
Seán graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1980 with a BA in French and Classical Greek. It was during this time at university that he met wife to be, Gabrielle, through mutual friends. He taught French language for seventeen years at De La Salle College in Belfast and enjoyed performing in and directing many a school show in the college. 

After being encouraged to take part in a local talent show by close friends who recognised his talent as an impressionist (he would win the talent show), Seán decided to work the after-dinner entertainment circuit as Johnny Day.  During this time Seán impersonated dozens of key figures, focusing especially on Northern Ireland’s politicians. His personal early favourite voices to imitate were those of the late Pope John Paul II and PUP leader David Irvine.

In 2001, BBC’s The Folks on the Hill was aired for the first time. For over 10 years, with a total of 17 radio and animated TV series, Seán wrote and starred in the hugely successful programme. His gentle, humorous political satire, often stingingly accurate but never hurtful, showcased his comic genius.  The show entertained thousands and was appreciated by politicians across Northern Ireland who looked forward to their appearance on the show! 

In 2010, Seán wrote Stormont, a stage play produced by Martin Lynch and directed by Michael Poynor, that ran at the Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey.  Seán starred in the production in the dual roles of MLAs Gerry Kelly and Michael McGimpsey.

Seán died on the 13th November 2011, from a cancer–related illness with his wife Gabrielle and three children, Conor, Niamh and Brendan by his bedside. The day before, The Folks on the Hill’s final radio show was broadcasted.  It is hoped that The Seán Crummey Memorial Fund will help those who face the same battle as Seán, while keeping alive his warmth, kindness and incredible generosity.

 

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