Father Ted star Rynagh O’Grady dies suddenly aged 67 as tributes are paid to star’s ‘humour, integrity and patience’
- Rynagh was best known for her role as Craggy Island shop owner Mary O’Leary from 1995-1998
- Her death was announced in a statement by the Abbey Theatre
- It read: ‘We were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of our beloved friend and colleague Rynagh O’Grady.
- ‘We are thinking of her family and all who loved her.
- ‘Rynagh trained in the Abbey School of Acting and first appeared on our stages in 1969’
- Director of the Abbey Theatre, Graham McLaren said: ‘Rynagh O Grady, Her grace, Her talent, Her humour, Her integrity, Her patience’
- Rynagh also appeared in in the 1992 Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman-helmed movie, Far and Away, 1991’s The Commitments and 2005 film Breakfast On Pluto
Father Ted star Rynagh O’Grady has died aged 67.
The death of the Irish actress, best known for her role as Craggy Island shop owner Mary O’Leary on the iconic Channel 4 show from 1995-1998, was announced in a statement by the Abbey Theatre.
It read: ‘We were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of our beloved friend and colleague Rynagh O’Grady. We are thinking of her family and all who loved her.
‘Rynagh trained in the Abbey School of Acting and first appeared on our stages in 1969. Notable productions included Donal O’Kelly’s Mamie Sighs in 1990 and more recently in Deirdre Kinahan’s The Unmanageable Sisters.
RIP: Father Ted star Rynagh O’Grady has died aged 67 (above as Mary O’Leary in the show alongside Patrick Drury as John O’Leary)
Director of the Abbey Theatre, Graham McLaren said: ‘Rynagh O Grady, Her grace, Her talent, Her humour, Her integrity, Her patience
‘I’d sneak into the back row of the Abbey to watch her hush a hysterical audience with a look, then lead them through a speech full of heart, humanity & justice
‘Irish theatre got a lot darker today.
‘We were honoured to have Rynagh reading for the Abbey stage as part of Dear Ireland in August 2020. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, dear Rynagh.’
Tragic loss: The death of the Irish actress, best known for her role as Craggy Island shop owner Mary O’Leary from 1995-1998, was announced in a statement by the Abbey Theatre
Iconic role: Although Rynagh became a nationally known name with her role in Father Ted, she was a star of the Irish theatre scene
Fellow Abbey Theatre actor Bill Murphy also tweeted a tribute to his friend and colleague, writing: ‘So sorry to hear of the passing of our trojan woman and friend actor Rynagh O Grady.
‘We served together on equity and more recently worked together,with the Abbey Theatre on dear ireland continues and abbey calling. Thunderous ovations to you Rynagh. You made your mark.’
Rynagh was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1954 and learned her craft at the Abbey School of Acting.
Tribute: Fellow Abbey Theatre actor Bill Murphy also tweeted a tribute to his friend and colleague, writing: ‘So sorry to hear of the passing of our trojan woman and friend actor Rynagh O Grady’
Tribute: Director of the Abbey Theatre,Graham McLaren, paid an emotional tribute to his late friend
Rynagh appeared in numerous theatre productions at Ireland’s National Theatre and carved out a stellar reputation with her directorial and writing skills.
She shot to national fame with her role on Father Ted as shop owner Mary, who frequently had explosive spats with husband John (Patrick Drury) before putting on a united front for customers.
She said of the role on her website: ‘I was thrilled to play Mary O’Leary in Father Ted.
‘Declan Lowney is one of the nicest directors I have worked with. Arthur and Graham wrote fantastic wacky scripts with this undercurrent of shocking truth.
RIP: Friends and fans of the star took to Twitter to pay tribute in the wake of her passing
‘We recorded it in front of a live audience in London, which was good as it gave us something to bounce off.’
As well as Father Ted, notable roles include that of Olive in the 1992 Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman-helmed movie, Far and Away, Bernie’s mother in 1991’s The Commitments and Mrs Coyle in the 2005 film Breakfast On Pluto, which starred Cillian Murphy.
In 2017 Rynagh worked on comedy Supervized which followed a group of former internationally renowned superheroes who are living out their twilight years in a retirement home in Ireland.
Acclaimed: In 2017 Rynagh worked on comedy Supervized which followed a group of former internationally renowned superheroes who are living out their twilight years in a retirement home in Ireland
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