Mags GarganHollywood legend Maureen O’Hara, who passed away at the weekend, once said her greatest fear would be “not getting into Heaven”.
The flame-haired actress, who was born in Dublin in 1920, passed away in her sleep at her home in Boise, Idaho on Saturday at the age of 95.
When a journalist asked the film icon the secret of her longevity when she was still in her late eighties, she replied: “Say your ‘Hail Mary’ every night when you go to bed.”
A strong Catholic faith remained an important part of her life after more than 75 years in showbusiness – including starring roles in The Quiet Man, Miracle on 34th Street and The Parent Trap. In a Vanity Fair questionnaire in 2014, the star said her greatest fear was “not getting into Heaven”, while her greatest achievement was “to be the first person recognised as an Irishwoman all over the world”.
She said the historical figure she most identified with was St Patrick and the living person she most despised was “the ‘Divil’ himself!”
In answer to what was her most treasured possession, she said: “I know this sounds corny, but it’s the truth – my rosary.”