Northern Ireland

Funeral held in Co Derry for veteran actress Margaret D'Arcy

Margaret D'Arcy passed away in hospital on Tuesday
Margaret D'Arcy passed away in hospital on Tuesday Margaret D'Arcy passed away in hospital on Tuesday

THE funeral took place yesterday of veteran actress Margaret D'Arcy, who has been described as "distinguished and talented".

The Belfast-born star, who celebrated her 100th birthday just four months ago, passed away on Tuesday at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry.

Family and friends gathered in Ballykelly yesterday to say their farewells to the actress, who was described as someone who excelled on the theatre stage.

Requiem Mass for Ms D'Arcy was celebrated in St Finlough's Church followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.

Ms D'Arcy enjoyed a long stage career in Northern Ireland and in England after studying at drama college in London.

On returning to Belfast she became a key member of the Group Players in Belfast, performing throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Her cinema career included Spike Milligan's Puckoon, which was shot in Northern Ireland.

She also won rave reviews for her performances in plays by Belfast writer John Boyd and Irish dramatist Sean O'Casey.

Tributes have continued to be paid to the actress, who was a regular at the Lyric Theatre where, in 1976, she appeared as Trilbe Costello with a young Liam Neeson playing the role of Dom in Brian Friel's The Loves of Cass McGuire.

In a statement, the Lyric Theatre said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Margaret D’Arcy, a wonderful actress who first appeared here in '76 and continued to work in the theatre for over 20 years.

"We are honoured to have worked with such a distinguished and talented actress. Our thoughts are with her family."

SDLP assembly member Claire Hanna also said: "Sorry to hear about the death this week of actor and activist Margaret D’Arcy at the great age of 100.

"She was a stalwart of Belfast’s Group Theatre in its glory days but departed over the philistine reaction to epoch-making plays such as Sam Thompson’s 'Over The Bridge'. RIP."