Revd Roger Grainger, 82, who appeared in Heartbeat and Emmerdale, drowned on Achill Island on Sunday night after driving into a flash flood, as he returned home from dinner with friends.
Dr Grainger moved to Achill with his late wife Doreen after buying a house close to St Thomas' Church of Ireland where he helped local minister Revd Val Rogers who became a close friend.
"He had a growing love and ended up with a full-blown love affair with Achill," said Revd Rogers.
"He was a most affectionate man and an utterly gregarious person."
"Anyone around Keel would have known him, he was getting involved in local groups, he liked creative writing, he was a prolific author of anything to do with trauma therapy and liturgy drama, that intersection between healing and liturgy and faith.
"He was always interested in people. The parishioners are very, very distressed," added the clergyman said.
A local man discovered the accident, but due to the torrential conditions the man was unsure if Dr Grainger was still in the car or if he had managed to escape.
"The water was about five feet high. I got a life-jacket and waded out but there was nothing I could do. He was pronounced dead at the scene," said Mayo county councillor Paul McNamara.
"I have never seen floods like it. They are the worst locally in living memory."
"We are very sad over what happened to Roger. He was very popular. The community is numbed by the tragic manner of his passing," added Mr McNamara.
Dr Grainger was originally from Cheshire and was a curate at St John's Church in Wakefield.
He worked as a hospital chaplain and with mental health patients and also as psychotherapist and counsellor supporting people who had suffered trauma or emotional problems.
Dr Grainger trained as an actor at Rada, with his most recent role as an elderly patient in last year's BBC mini-series Remember Me starring Michael Palin.
He appeared on stage at the Old Vic and had small roles in the likes of Heartbeat, Emmerdale and Last Of The Summer Wine.
"Mostly he had character parts which he took a shine to. It was about the parts that he was right for. He was well respected and it was never a fame thing for him," his management Actors Direct said.
