02/10/2015
Brian Friel Dies Aged 86
Irish playwright Brian Friel has died aged 86.
Friel is best known for plays such as Dancing at Lughnasa, Philadelphia, Here I Come and Translations.
He was born in County Tyrone in 1929 and moved to County Donegal in the 1960s.
He died peacefully at his home after battling a long illness.
SDLP Culture Spokesperson Karen McKevitt said: "News of the passing of Brian Friel will cast a shadow of sadness across Irish and global theatre. Brian made an immeasurable contribution to our cultural heritage which will long survive any of us.
"Brian leaves us with a rich and diverse legacy. His works stand alongside the very best in theatre across the world and have inspired generations of playwrights, actors and theatre professionals. I have no doubt that his work will continue to inspire the young and old alike for generations to come.
"I want to express my very sincere condolences to Brian’s family and friends at this difficult time. I hope they can take comfort from the special place he held in the hearts of Irish people and the proud legacy that he has left us all with."
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD said: "Brian Friel was one of Ireland's best known playwrights.
"Probably most famous for his plays Dancing at Lughnasa and Philadelphia, Here I Come, he wrote 30 plays during his long and productive life.
"A co-founder of the Field Day Theatre Company, his brilliant play Translations was the company's first production.
"Much of Brian's work dealt with societal change in Ireland, culture, language and Irish identity.
"A humble man, he was also a national treasure and a truly unique individual. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.
"I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Brian's family, especially his wife Anne on this sad occasion."
(CD/LM)
Friel is best known for plays such as Dancing at Lughnasa, Philadelphia, Here I Come and Translations.
He was born in County Tyrone in 1929 and moved to County Donegal in the 1960s.
He died peacefully at his home after battling a long illness.
SDLP Culture Spokesperson Karen McKevitt said: "News of the passing of Brian Friel will cast a shadow of sadness across Irish and global theatre. Brian made an immeasurable contribution to our cultural heritage which will long survive any of us.
"Brian leaves us with a rich and diverse legacy. His works stand alongside the very best in theatre across the world and have inspired generations of playwrights, actors and theatre professionals. I have no doubt that his work will continue to inspire the young and old alike for generations to come.
"I want to express my very sincere condolences to Brian’s family and friends at this difficult time. I hope they can take comfort from the special place he held in the hearts of Irish people and the proud legacy that he has left us all with."
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD said: "Brian Friel was one of Ireland's best known playwrights.
"Probably most famous for his plays Dancing at Lughnasa and Philadelphia, Here I Come, he wrote 30 plays during his long and productive life.
"A co-founder of the Field Day Theatre Company, his brilliant play Translations was the company's first production.
"Much of Brian's work dealt with societal change in Ireland, culture, language and Irish identity.
"A humble man, he was also a national treasure and a truly unique individual. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.
"I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Brian's family, especially his wife Anne on this sad occasion."
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 December 2010
British Isles Body To Discuss Loans
The British-Irish Council is to convene today on the Isle of Man to discuss the multi-billion Euro loan from the UK Government. The politically sensitive loan from the UK was extended to the Irish Republic by UK Chancellor George Osborne last month just after the IMF and EU were called upon for a bailout payment by Fianna Fail.
British Isles Body To Discuss Loans
The British-Irish Council is to convene today on the Isle of Man to discuss the multi-billion Euro loan from the UK Government. The politically sensitive loan from the UK was extended to the Irish Republic by UK Chancellor George Osborne last month just after the IMF and EU were called upon for a bailout payment by Fianna Fail.
12 April 2010
Royal Irish Honoured In Bangor
Soldiers from NI who are again preparing for front-line action have been on the march in Bangor.
Royal Irish Honoured In Bangor
Soldiers from NI who are again preparing for front-line action have been on the march in Bangor.
02 September 2013
Funeral Of Seamus Heaney Held
The funeral of poet Seamus Heaney has taken place at Sacred Heart Church in Donnybrook. President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Brian Friel joined his widow Marie and children Michael, Christopher and Catherine Ann for the funeral mass of the writer, who died unexpectedly in a Dublin hospital on Friday. He was 74.
Funeral Of Seamus Heaney Held
The funeral of poet Seamus Heaney has taken place at Sacred Heart Church in Donnybrook. President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Brian Friel joined his widow Marie and children Michael, Christopher and Catherine Ann for the funeral mass of the writer, who died unexpectedly in a Dublin hospital on Friday. He was 74.
11 January 2011
Greens 'Believe Cowen's FitzPatrick Statement'
Ireland's Green Party has today given its formal response to last night's statement by Taoiseach Brian Cowen about his contacts with former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean FitzPatrick.
Greens 'Believe Cowen's FitzPatrick Statement'
Ireland's Green Party has today given its formal response to last night's statement by Taoiseach Brian Cowen about his contacts with former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean FitzPatrick.
14 December 2010
NI Hit As Brian Blocks Bank's Bonus Bonanza
The Irish Republic's Finance Minister has blocked the payment of €40 million in bonuses by the State dependant Allied Irish Banks (AIB). It has also emerged that almost 50 First Trust staff in Belfast will miss out on their Christmas bonus after the parent company was prevented from paying any incentives.
NI Hit As Brian Blocks Bank's Bonus Bonanza
The Irish Republic's Finance Minister has blocked the payment of €40 million in bonuses by the State dependant Allied Irish Banks (AIB). It has also emerged that almost 50 First Trust staff in Belfast will miss out on their Christmas bonus after the parent company was prevented from paying any incentives.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.