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Friel celebrates 80th at home in
Greencastle
13.01.09
AS the world of
literature celebrated Brian Friel's 80th birthday on
Friday, the playwright himself enjoyed a quiet
dinner party with his wife and family at home in
Greencastle.
As the plaudits flowed on radio and in print, the
octogenarian Friel had a more down-to-earth
celebration in his seaside home.
Long-standing friend and neighbour, Joy McCormick
said she imparted her own birthday wishes earlier
that day.
"I've been reading all the lovely tributes about
Brian and his great literary achievements but I
would like to pay my own personal tribute to him as
a great friend and neighbour. He and his wife Anne
have been wonderful neighbours and friends to me
over the years," said Joy. |
"What people might not
know is that Brian takes great interest in his
friends and neighbours. He is very caring and
Greencastle is very close to his heart."
Among those who paid tribute locally to the 'Dancing
at Lughnasa', 'Philadelphia Here I Come' and
'Translations' author were Nobel Laureate John Hume,
himself a Greencastle resident, and the North's
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Meanwhile, writing in a special 'Irish Times'
birthday supplement, actor Eamon Morrissey said of
Friel: "He is the major influence in this day and
from the past 40 years, and he's certainly |
been a huge influence
personally because from the early days I was in a
number of the first productions of his plays.
"The apparent simplicity of his text really masks
huge depths of exploration of the human condition.
On top of that, he's a lovely man. He will be well
and hale and hearty for many years to come, but his
writings will live on after him."
Writing in the same newspaper, Gate Theatre director
Michael Colgan said:
"I call him The Master because I just think there is
something about that word that suits him. I think
'Faith Healer' is a masterpiece and I think he is
masterful.
"I've always had three heroes in the theatre,
Beckett, Pinter and Friel, and it's sad that I've
only got one of them left. I suppose what makes them
so, besides their well-known and extraordinary
talent, is that for me they were all friends.
"In particular I'm a very close friend of Brian
Friel, and I like the fact that I can say that
without fear of contradiction." |
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