Blue Plaque Unveiled on Donegall Street to Honour Comedian Frank Carson

A permanent tribute has been unveiled in Belfast to celebrate the life and legacy of beloved comedian Frank Carson, a man who rose from humble beginnings and never forgot his local roots. Family, fellow performers, and civic leaders gathered on Donegall Street to mark the unveiling of an Ulster History Circle blue plaque on what would have been the entertainer's 100th birthday.

The memorial has been placed at St Patrick's National School on Donegall Street, the very area where Carson grew up during the 1930s. Best known across households for his trademark catchphrases "It's a cracker" and "It's the way I tell them", Carson became a household name through appearances on hit television programmes such as Opportunity Knocks and Tiswas. He passed away at the age of 85 in 2012 at his home in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Speaking at the unveiling, his son Tony Carson called the blue plaque a "wonderful tribute" to his father's memory. He noted that people continue to reach out and share clips of Frank on YouTube, adding that his father feels just as present today as he did during his lifetime.

Actor and playwright Dan Gordon, who previously wrote and starred in a celebrated one-man play charting Carson's life, reflected on the comedian's extraordinary journey. He highlighted that Carson started in poverty and built immense success, famously quipping that later in life, "when I wrote a cheque, the bank bounced." During a peak year in 1976 alone, Carson completed 41 network television shows alongside 240 variety shows and public appearances.

Gordon also praised Carson for proudly championing his Ulster accent on mainstream television during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, keeping Belfast's voice heard on screen with warmth and humour. Carson was dedicated to his hometown, frequently returning to film documentaries, including one focused on Donegall Street itself, where he couldn't walk ten yards without stopping to chat with neighbours who remembered his family. Gordon highlighted that Carson belonged to a classic generation of joke-tellers who avoided foul language, always prioritising making audiences laugh wherever he went.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Róis-Máire Donnelly paid tribute to Carson's enduring influence on the city. She noted that beyond bringing joy to generations of viewers, Carson continues to make a meaningful difference today through a bursary established alongside the Integrated Education Fund, which invests directly in local young people and their education.