Funeral of the late Barry Ennis passes Clonard Church. Pic: Jim Campbell

TRIBUTES POURED in from right across the entertainment world in recent days, as sadness swept across Wexford and beyond with the shocking news of the tragic passing of popular Wexford Spiegeltent Festival founder Barry Ennis (38).

Mr. Ennis was the beloved son of Pat and Breda and a brother held in high esteem by David, Pat, Cathy, Alan and Mark.

A doting dad to girls Sarah-Kate and Leila, from his marriage with Louise, Mr. Ennis was engaged to Jenni and also close to her son Coady.

The Beautiful South, a chart-topping UK band who Mr. Ennis had brought to Wexford in recent years, echoed the thoughts of a town when lead singer Paul Heaton commented online that he was ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of Mr Ennis’ passing.

‘Not only was Barry an inventive and bold promoter but he was a gracious and generous host who couldn’t do enough for you, your family and friends.

‘In brief, he was a man who we all felt privileged to know.’

Musicians Jack Lukeman, Bell x1, Corner Boy, Eleanor McEvoy, Darren Holden, James Vincent McMorrow, Villagers, Cry Before Dawn, John Spillane and Mick Flannery, TodayFM DJ Phil Cawley, Wexford writers Paul O’Brien and Eoin Colfer and so many others wrote of their sadness that Wexford and the world of entertainment would no longer boast the helpful, enterprising, unassuming and larger-than-life character of Barry Ennis.

‘He was an amazing promoter of the arts,’ Mr. Lukeman tweeted.

‘Thanks to Barry we’ve had magical nights in the Spiegeltent on the Quay in Wexford,’ Bell x1 wrote.

‘Always a gentleman and a fantastic promoter of music new & old,’ Villagers commented.

‘An inspiration to all who knew him,’ was how Wexford Arts Centre described the visionary music promoter.

United in grief, friends, colleagues and so many of those who had known and loved Mr. Ennis gathered at Clonard Parish Church on Saturday last to say goodbye to a person fondly described by his older brother Alan as a “man about town.”

Another close friend, Church of Ireland Reverend Arthur Minion, addressed those gathered at the emotional service in recalling the great attributes of the late Mr. Ennis in the homily.

The Wexford man appeared to have a limitless capacity for helping others in a time of need, he said, referencing an occasion when Mr. Ennis organised a Josh Ritter concert to take place at St. Iberius Church and also organised for a barber to attend the church and give the entertainer’s manager a much-needed haircut while the concert was underway.

“I knew Barry to have a nature to sought to rescue people out of trouble if it was within his power and we are here today, asking God… to rescue Barry out of the trouble which he brought into the place in which he found himself so recently.

“The unanswerable question? Why?

“There are no easy answers, no reversible action to take it all away… there is no getting over it,” Rev. Minion said.

In a heartfelt plea to those who find themselves in a time of emotional distress, the popular clergyman urged people to “talk to someone.

“Talk to me – I’m your brother, I’m your sister, I’m your friend, I’m your doctor, I’m your priest, I’m here, it’s not just words… I want to help. I care. I do care,” he urged.

Paying homage to Mr. Ennis, Irish singer / songwriter Mick Flannery sung a communion reflection entitled ‘Goodbye’, while Ben Blance later delivered an emotional ‘Hallelujah’ as mourners left the church and brought the promoter to his final resting place at St. Ibar’s Cemetery, Crosstown.

His legacy will live on in Wexford town.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Read more in the Wexford Echo.