Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has expressed her sadness at the death of playwright Brian Friel.
The internationally renowned author, who was born in 1929 in County Tyrone, has died at the age of 86. His works include Dancing at Lughnasa and Philadelphia, Here I Come! which ran at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast recently.
The Minister said: “Brian Friel’s name features highly on the list of great modern writers. He had a rare ability to delight audiences with plays that are both entertaining and thought provoking.
“It is the richness of his drama that we will miss the most. His plays were grounded in a familiar reality, yet they had layers of humour, sadness, satire, tragedy and hope.
“Friel belongs to the canon of great Irish writers. His affection for everyday subject matter was matched by his understanding of the human condition. This resulted in unique work, which stands as a milestone in Irish theatre.
“While today we mourn his death, and the vast gap his passing leaves, we also look to a legacy that will resonate through the ages.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”
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