merrion street

I was saddened to hear of the death of one of our most important playwrights, Tom Murphy. His relentless imagination and his restless exploration of the human condition challenged us to think about the world differently and enabled us see our souls. His huge impact on Irish theatre will undoubtedly be felt for many decades to come.

Tom's ability to create roles that inspired actors to give some of their greatest performances was a testament to the quality of his language, his originality, and his ability to capture the darkness and light of our times. I send my condolences, and the condolences of the Government, to his family and friends.