Joan Brosnan Walsh
Joan Brosnan Walsh | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 20 December 2009 | (aged 71)
Other names | Joan Brosnan-Walsh |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1989–2009 (her death) |
Spouse | Willie Walsh |
Children | 3 |
Joan Brosnan Walsh (29 June 1938 – 20 December 2009) was a veteran Irish actress, best known for her long-running role as the character Mags Kelly on the Irish soap opera Fair City, a role she had played for almost twenty years, from 18 September 1989[1] until her final screen appearance, 11 January 2009.
Brosnan Walsh appeared in a number of films such as
Early life and career
Brosnan Walsh was born in 1938 in Greystones, County Wicklow. She had two other siblings but her mother died when she was young. An aunt raised her in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.
Brosnan Walsh attended the Dominican Convent on Eccles Street before pursuing a career with market researcher
Brosnan Walsh designed costumes for
Family
She married Willie Walsh. The couple had three daughters.[4]
Fair City
Brosnan Walsh played the character of
Health and death
Brosnan Walsh departed Fair City due to declining health as a result of her
She appeared on
Brosnan Walsh also spoke about her character and time in Fair City:
I loved the character of Mags, foil to Charlie's shenanigans and I particularly enjoyed her strong relationship with, for example, Dolores, Rita, Dermot and Jo. I really enjoyed playing her.[4]
She had painted since the 1970s but her illness forced her to revert from landscape painting to abstract painting.[7] The audience presented her with a standing ovation at the end.[2] In February 2009, she launched Rare Diseases Week.[4]
After Brosnan Walsh's death on 20 December 2009 at age 71,[8] the cast of Fair City released the following tribute: "She was warm and lovely in person, a consummate professional and a delight to work with. A talented actress, singer and artist who bore her illness with incredible dignity, she will be very much missed around Carrigstown".[2]
Jane Gogan, RTÉ's drama recruiter, said "She has been at the heart of Fair City for the last 20 years and was without doubt one of its most popular characters. She was also one of the most warmly regarded colleagues in RTÉ and will be greatly missed by the Fair City cast and crew and all who worked with her in RTÉ, as well as her host of fans throughout the country".[2][9][10]
Selected filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Fatal Inheritance | Mrs. O'Toole | |
1997 | The Boxer | Mrs. Orr |
Awards
In 1969 she was a cast member of The Caucasian Chalk Circle Strand Players production and they won the Esso Trophy at the all-Ireland drama festival held in Athlone, County Westmeath.[4]
In 1970 Brosnan Walsh won best actress at Templetuohy's one-act drama festival in County Tipperary.[4]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Esso Trophy | all-Ireland drama festival | Won |
1970 | Best Actress | Templetuohy | Won |
See also
References
- ^ "RTÉ pays tribute to actress Joan Brosnan Walsh RIP" (Press release). RTÉ. 22 December 2009.
- ^ a b c d Healy, Alison (22 December 2009). "'Fair City' actor Joan Brosnan Walsh dies". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- Evening Herald. Dublin. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Talented 'Fair City' actress who dealt with motor neuron disease bravely". The Irish Times. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
- ^ "Late Late show pays tribute to Fair City's Mags". Evening Herald. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
- ^ "Friday 23 January 2009". The Late Late Show. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ "Joan Brosnan Walsh". Irish Independent. 27 December 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Fair City's Joan Brosnan Walsh dies". RTÉ. 21 December 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ "Tributes paid to late Fair City star". RTÉ. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ O'Brien, Jason (22 December 2009). "Fair City actress Brosnan-Walsh dies". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
External links
- Joan Brosnan Walsh at IMDb
- Mags Kelly at Fair City
- Obituary in The Irish Times