Irish actor and Banshees of Inisherin star Gary Lydon dies aged 61

BBC

Actor Gary Lydon who starred in films such as Calvary, The Guard and The Banshees of Inisherin, has died aged 61.

He has been described as one of the finest actors in Ireland as well as a loving father.

Born Gary O'Brien in London in 1964, to Irish parents, he returned to Wexford with his family as a child and grew up there.

He would later take his mother's surname for his professional career, one that lasted decades and saw him appear both on the stage and on the screen.

Lydon first came to prominence after starring in Billy Roche's Wexford Trilogy of plays in the mid-1980s.

In a statement on Sunday on behalf of Wexford Arts Centre, its Executive Director Elizabeth Whyte said she was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of his death.

"Gary had honed his craft as one of the finest actors in Ireland on the Wexford Arts Centre stage in many of Billy Roche's plays. He forged a stellar career performing across Ireland and the UK," she said.

"Though heartbreaking, it is fitting that his final role on our stage was performed alongside his son James Doherty O'Brien.

"The lights in the theatre world are dimmer due to the loss of Gary, but we will cherish the memories of his performances with reverence."

'Forever in our hearts'

His former Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club, St Michael's, also paid tribute on social media saying how he would play for them when his busy schedule allowed it.

"In subsequent years, he was a regular presence on the sideline supporting the club especially when his son James was playing," the club said.

"May he rest in peace."

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that his son James Doherty O'Brien issued a statement on behalf of the family saying: "the loss of our Dad is a huge shock and deep loss for us all".

Getty/Phillip Massey/GC Images)

"He will be sorely missed by me and my brother Seanluke, our mother Kara, his beloved partner Paula and her daughter Aoife, and all his brothers and extended family.

"Despite all his success and achievements, his greatest pride was being a father. We will miss the many ways he loved and protected us.

"We will carry all our amazing memories with him forever in our hearts."