‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ actor Gary Lydon dead aged 61
Gary Lydon, an Irish actor best known for his role in Martin McDonagh‘s The Banshees of Inisherin, has passed away at the age of 61.
The news reportedly came via way of his son James Doherty O’Brien, who issued a statement on behalf of the family, which announced that “the loss of our Dad is a huge shock and deep loss for us all”.
His son added, “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.”
In the critically acclaimed surrealist comedy The Banshees of Inisherin, Lydon played the abusive father of the troubled youth, Dominic Kearney, played by Beatle-to-be Barry Keoghan.
Additionally, Lydon has starred in movies such as Brooklyn, The Guard, and Calvary. He also enjoyed success in different television roles, such as Pure Mule, Love/Hate, and The Clinic, for which he earned an Irish Film and Television Award.
He concluded, “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.”
Reflecting on his tragic passing, a spokesperson for the Wexford Arts Centre has shared, “Gary had only recently returned to our stage as the magnificent Phil in the terrific production of Of Mornington by Billy Roche, directed by Pete McCamley of Ad Personam Cultural Events who also co-produced the production with Gary Lydon Productions.”
They added, “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 & the UK.”
Lydon was born in London in 1964; as a child, he moved to Wexford town, where his most recent production of Of Mornington took place.
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