A PLAQUE honouring Belfast playwright Sam Thompson was unveiled last night as some of the city's best-known actors and theatre stars gathered together to celebrate his life.
The work of the east Belfast man was fondly remembered at an event in the John Hewitt bar in the city.
There were readings from Mr Thompson's most celebrated play 'Over the Bridge' and a performance of a scene from the play.
Northern Ireland actors Dan Gordon, pictured right, Alan McKee and Julia Dearden were among those who presented the readings last night, while eminent poet Michael Longley read his piece 'The Poker: in memory of Sam Thompson'.
Denis Tuohy, who appeared in the original production of 'Over the Bridge', spoke about its impact in 1960 and Mr Thompson's Labour Party colleague Brian Garrett gave a short personal history.
Historian John Gray and academic Ophelia Byrne also told the packed audience of the historical context and literary impact of the playwright's writing.
The night culminated in the unveiling of a plaque in the bar, dedicated to the playwright, painter and democratic socialist, who wrote and campaigned about sectarianism and inequality.
The celebration of his life comes just ahead of the official naming of a bridge in his honour tomorrow.
The 62 metre bridge will connect Victoria Park to Airport Road, linking to the Harbour Estate and Titanic Quarter and is part of the work on the £35 million Connswater Community Greenway project.
The landmark footbridge was named after Mr Thompson when the public were asked to help name it last year.
Belfast-born actor James Ellis (82) had been due to officially open it, but passed away in England earlier this month after suffering a stroke.
SDLP councillor Claire Hanna, who proposed that the new bridge be named after the playwright, last night said it was a "measure of the esteem in which Sam Thompson is held" that so many contributors "unhesitatingly agreed to take part".