Brendan Gleeson has told how maintaining a ‘fresh curiosity’ about the world keeps him going as he prepares to turn 70 next year.
The legendary actor says he feels that awareness of the transient nature of life helps in appreciating how precious it is.
He was speaking as he launched and encouraged the public to support Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice on September 26.
The fundraising drive is co-ordinated by Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, in aid of 24 Hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers across Ireland, whose aim this year is to raise €2.4million.
Both of Gleeson’s parents spent their final days in St Francis Hospice in Dublin, which is set to begin work on a €29million, 24 single-room in-patient unit.
“I’m aware that I’m in the final chapters but you’re just trying to keep the creaky bits moving as well as possible,” said the Oscar-nominated actor in Bewley’s Café.
“A great quote shared with me years ago was ‘good health is a golden crown which only those who are ill can see’, so the person who is sick is seeing how glorious it is.
“I try to keep an eye on the crown and as long as I’m motoring around alright, I appreciate life.”
Gleeson said there is a huge need for developments like those at St Francis Hospice, which will give families added privacy in their loved ones’ final days.
His father Francis spent his time there in a four-bed room, which made those moments more difficult.
“The conversation was a little inhibited; you are in hearing distance of others, trying not to earwig, and at the same time attempting an intimate conversation with your loved one in quite a loud voice!
“Because patients are at that stage, you have to speak fairly loudly. Single rooms make it so much easier.”
Returning to LA next month, the Dubliner is preparing for the worldwide release of his latest work, Joker: Folie à Deux – and said he would love to work again with Colin Farrell, his co-star in The Banshees of Inisherin and In Bruges.
“He’s a great man, a terrific human being and an example to people,” he said.
“It would be great if we worked together again. We might take less than 10 years to do that the next time but it has to be right.
“It’s one of those relationships where you don’t have to see him every day, we always take up where we left off.
“Hopefully we get to do a little bit more work together before I depart the mortal coil!”
Dr Sarah McCloskey, Chairperson, Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, said: “We are delighted Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of our longest and most loved fundraisers, is now in its 32nd year raising funds in support of Hospice in-patient and community services around Ireland.
“It is a chance to celebrate our countless coffee morning hosts across the country, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities.
“This ongoing, unwavering support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, enhancing care for patients living with life-limiting illness.”
Jason Doyle, Managing Director at Bewley’s Ireland, said the company was immensely proud to again support the event, recognised as the country’s most successful and longest charity partnerships.
“Bewley’s, as an iconic Irish brand, was founded on the principle of caring for people and communities, which ties in perfectly with the ethos of Together For Hospice.
“We encourage everyone to host a coffee morning to help support the incredible, and often unseen, work that hospices nationwide carry out every day.”
The ethos at the heart of Together For Hospice is whatever is raised locallystays locally and goes directly to each local Hospice service to innovate, build new facilities, develop new services and deliver quality improvements and extra benefits for patients and their family members.
Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 26 – or on a date that suits you – at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or call 0818 995 996.
If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, you can make a donation at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate