Eilish O'Carroll says famous brother Brendan gave her a 'better quality of life' with no more debts
Eilish began working for Brendan back in 1998.
Actress Eilish O’Carroll has said working for her famous brother Brendan has given her a “much better quality of life” with no more debts.
The Dubliner began working for the Mrs Brown’s Boys creator in 1998 as his wardrobe mistress, while Brendan was performing with his play, The Course.
Then in 1999, Brendan asked Eilish to stand in for someone to play Winnie McCoogan on the comedy show after the original cast member had to take leave for a while.
READ MORE: Brendan O'Carroll blasts 'begrudgery' against hit BBC sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys
Eilish opened up about how Brendan changed her life for the better but told of his own struggles in the industry. She said: “It was well before the BBC took an interest in Mrs Brown’s Boys as a sitcom.
“The talent was always there. I think we're a very small pond compared to the UK so over here you have to be a big fish in a small pond but in the UK you can actually be a little fish and make it big.
“Irish entertainers do so well in England and Mrs Brown’s Boys is no different. It went viral when it first went out. I think when his first play was so successful, which was The Course, people came to the theatre. I think it held six or seven or nine weeks to full houses in Dublin.
“It was around the time of the Dublin Theatre Festival, who had knocked it back so Brendan being Brendan put the show on at the same time as the theatre festival and he was the only play at the time that sold out.
“He did that. People think he was an overnight success, and I have to say one thing I have learned from him is that he is extremely inspirational. That man can convince you that you can hop up Mount Everest with two hands tied behind your back and you’ll get there. So that is what I’ve been exposed to.”
Speaking to Mary Byrne on their new podcast, The Wise Owl Wans, Eilish said that although she isn’t a millionaire, Brendan gave her a “better quality of life”.
“I certainly feel like I have a much better quality of life. I’m certainly not a millionaire but I’ve a much better quality of life. I don’t have the debts I had beforehand.”
Eilish also shared the one moment that always stands out over the course of her career.
“The one person that sticks in my mind is Boy George. I met him when they were doing All Round To Mrs Brown and he was a guest with his mum. Before the shoot started, he came over to me and said, ‘May I say something to you’. He said ‘I love you. You are my favourite. I love watching you’.”
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