Birdy Sweeney facts for kids

Birdy Sweeney (born Edmund Francis Sweeney on June 14, 1931 – died May 11, 1999) was a talented Irish actor and comedian. He was known for his funny performances and appeared in many films and TV shows.

Early Life and First Steps

Birdy Sweeney was born Edmund Francis Sweeney in Dungannon, a town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He got his special nickname, "Birdy," because he was really good at making bird sounds when he was a child. He even showed off this talent on BBC Radio Ulster!

Before he became a well-known actor, Birdy Sweeney spent more than 30 years as a stand-up comedian. This means he would perform funny routines and tell jokes in front of live audiences, often in clubs. His first chance to act came in 1982. He worked as an extra in a TV show called Too Late to Talk to Billy. An extra is someone who appears in the background of a scene, like a person walking down a street, to make it look more real.

Acting Career

Birdy Sweeney appeared in several big movies, even if his roles were sometimes small. Some of these films include The Crying Game (1992), The Snapper (1993), The Butcher Boy (1997), and Angela's Ashes (1999).

He also performed on stage! His first play was The Iceman Cometh in 1989, which was shown at the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

One of his most famous roles was on TV. From 1996 to 1999, he played a farmer named Eamon Byrne in the popular BBC drama series Ballykissangel. He was in 34 episodes of the show, which was a big part of his career.

A Look at His Work

Birdy Sweeney worked on many different projects. Here are some of the films and TV shows he was a part of:

• Every Picture Tells a Story (1983)
• The End of the World Man (1986)
• Murder in Eden (1991)
• The Crying Game (1992)
• Moll Flanders (1996)
• Space Truckers (1996)
• Ballykissangel (1996-1999)
• The Butcher Boy (1997)
• Downtime (1997)
• The Nephew (1998)
• Divorcing Jack (1998)
• Angela's Ashes (1999)

Birdy Sweeney passed away on May 11, 1999, when he was 67 years old. He left behind his wife, Alice, and their eight children. He is remembered for his unique talent and his contributions to Irish entertainment.