A CAST of hundreds gathered in the south Dublin village of Monkstown last night to pay their respects to the late puppeteer, ventriloquist and entertainer Eugene Lambert.
Mr Lambert, who died on Monday aged 81, was credited with creating magic for generations of children with the popular programmes Wanderly Wagon and Bosco and was regarded as a huge influence on the art of puppetry in Ireland.
A large congregation of Mr Lambert’s friends, colleagues, fans and family gathered at St Patrick’s Church in Monkstown for his removal.
The chief mourners were his wife Mai and their children Judy, Gene, Miriam, David, Paula, Noel, Liam and Conor, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr Lambert’s remains made the short journey to the church from the family home on Clifton Lane in Monkstown shortly before 7pm. It was there he founded the Lambert Puppet Theatre in 1972.
Inside the church, family friend Fr Michael McGoldrick paid tribute to Mr Lambert, describing him as a “very, very talented” man who always had a great sense of fun and humour about him.
He said Mr Lambert developed a passion for puppets and ventriloquism early in his life and that his artistic talents ensured it became a lifelong career for him.
He also commended his role in developing the International Puppet Festival of Ireland, behind which Mr Lambert was regarded as a driving force.
Fr McGoldrick recalled a visit to Mr Lambert’s puppet workshop and the level of care and effort he put into each of his creations. “Only the best was good enough.”
He said Wanderly Wagon had “brought joy to the lives” of thousands of children.
“Nothing gave him more pleasure than seeing children laugh and enjoy his puppet shows.”
Fr McGoldrick offered his condolences to the family and recalled Mr Lambert’s enormous sense of pride in all of them.
