Tributes are being paid to one of Ireland’s “most loved” actresses, Maureen Toal, who died on Thursday in her Dublin home.
The 82-year-old was best known for her role in the hit RTÉ drama Glenroe, in which she played publican Teasey McDaid.
Maureen’s long career in acting began when she joined the Abbey Theatre in 1946 at the age of 16 and throughout the years she has brought many characters to life on that stage including the Widow Quin in JM Synge’s ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ and Besie Burgess in Seán O’Casey’s ‘The Plough and the Stars.’
Glenroe’s Dinny and Teasy played by Joe Lynch and Maureen Toal
Senator and Director of the Abbey Theatre Fiach Mac Conghail said that Maureen would be greatly missed.
According to The Irish Times he said: “The theatre world salutes a great acting talent and I know that she will be missed by her friends and colleagues in the theatre community.”
Maureen inspired her colleagues with her acting talent
Actress Rosaleen Linehan said Maureen was a great inspiration to her.
“She was a wonderful actress and a very funny and generous woman,” she said.
Maureen Toal was awarded an honary doctorate from UCD in 2010 and said at the time she missed acting.
“I still miss being an actress, I was very sorry to retire a few years ago,” she said.
The actress died peacefully in her Sandycove home and is survived by her son, Colm O’Shea.
