ACCLAIMED actor Donal McCann has died after a long illness in a Dublin hospice.
Aged only 56, McCann played a pivotal part in the recent history of Irish stage and screen.
The actorÕs screen highlights include the haunting central performance in John HustonÕs final film, The Dead, which was the screen adaptation of James JoyceÕs story. McCann also featured in the television series based on James PlunkettÕs Strumpet City. And more recently, he stole the show from SinŽad Cusack, Jeremy Irons and Liv Tyler in Stealing Beauty.
But his greatest achievements were with recent Irish dramas on both stage and screen, as was highlighted by Bob QuinnÕs recent documentary about him, which was aptly entitled It Must Be Done Right.
The Dublin born actor had appeared at home and abroad in many of Brian FrielÕs breakthrough plays. And he brought a well of unspoken hurt and frustration to his portrayal of Gar Public, in the 1970s television version of FrielÕs Philadelphia Here I Come.
But it was back on stage in another recent Irish play, The Steward of Christendom, that McCann was to win the greatest notices of his career. He played the last head of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, Thomas Dunne, looking back on his life and on the ambiguities of an Irish man in the upper echelons of the British presence in Ireland. The production toured for two years, taking in England, Ireland, Australia and the United States.
Newsweek profiled McCann in 1997 during the New York run of the play, declaring him to be a world class star who was giving an astonishing performance.
Echoing another quote from that article, the playwright, Sebastian Barry said yesterday: ÒSomebody said once that he was the greatest actor in the English speaking world. My only objection is to the phrase ÔEnglish speakingÕ.Ó Barry went on to say that McCann had been reconciled to his death:
ÒIt will inevitably be a shock, but at the same time, in the last 20 months since he was diagnosed, there was a sense that he was able to put a lot of things in order in his mind. He had a sense, himself, of completion of his work on stage and his work in film. He was a man of remarkable timing in all aspects even in this, and that has been a huge comfort to the people around him.Ó
Michael Colgan, the director of DublinÕs Gate Theatre, said the actor was a remarkable talent: ÒFor me, Donal McCann was the best stage actor that this country has ever produced. I donÕt think anybody could come close. What he did was always just right, it was inspired.Ó
President Mary McAleese said Ireland has lost a formidable acting talent, who displayed enormous commitment to his profession and brought great pleasure to audiences at home and abroad.
Arts Minister S’le de Valera said McCann brought a touch of genius to every character he played, while her predecessor, Michael D Higgins said he would be remembered as one of the greatest actors of all time.
HUNDREDS of mourners from the world of stage, screen and public life are expected to pay their final respects at the funeral today of acclaimed actor, Donal McCann.
A stream of mourners filed into Terenure College Chapel in Dublin all day yesterday where the body of the 56 year old actor lay in repose until 6pm. The Dubliner, whose late mother was from County Wexford, will be buried at 3.30pm, near a family grave at St PatrickÕs Cemetery in Monaseed, a small village six miles from Gorey.
The service follows a 12pm requiem mass at Terenure College Chapel.
Local priest, Father Felix OÕByrne said the village and nearby Gorey was very saddened by the untimely death of the actor who died on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Mr McCann had often journeyed to Monaseed for family occasions and had made his last visit there in May to attend a First Communion.
Fr OÕByrne said people in the area were very proud of the achievements of the renowned actor, who will be best remembered for his central role in John HustonÕs last film, The Dead. The film was based on the James Joyce story of the same name.
A spokesperson for the Irish ActorsÕ Equity last night said McCann, who was well known for his towering stage presence and his complete devotion to character and script, was one of the IAEÕs most respected and loved members.
The 1300 strong group will be represented at Mr McCannÕs funeral this afternoon by their president, Mr Robert Carrickford. President Mary McAleese will be represented by her Aide de Camp. A senior Government official will attend on behalf of Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern who will be in London on official business.
Wednesday, July 21, 1999 Monaseed. His origin was there. His mother's people. And yesterday he was buried there deep in bright Wexford earth, fitting snugly into a small grave next to his uncle, Pat.
It was Pat, who died in 1992 at the age of 80, who once said: "The great thing about Donal McCann is that, no matter what part he plays, he is always himself." This was recounted by a cousin, Father Donal Berney, at the funeral Mass in Terenure College, Dublin, yesterday.
"For we are dust and unto dust we shall return," said another cousin, the Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, as he was lowered into the grave, "... grant that our brother Donal may rest here in peace."
And behind, that battalion of mourners. His sister Margaret McCann, his niece Lucy Cronin, his nephew and godson Jimmy Berney, cousins Noel Kenny, Vera and Michael Kelly, his aunts Mary, Benny, and Bessie, his partner Ms Beau St Clair, and all those upset friends from the arts, politics, religion, and sport. Worlds apart, together in grief.
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until separation," said his friend Father David Weakliam O.Carm, at the Mass, quoting from The Prophet. And so it was in that crowded country churchyard yesterday.
"The virtuous man though he dies before his time will find rest," read playwright Sebastian Barry, author of The Steward of Christendom in which Donal McCann gave his last great performance, at the Mass. He was in the graveyard too, as were playwrights Brian Friel, Hugh Leonard, and Jim Nolan.
Tom Murphy, Bernard Farrell, Tom McIntyre, Peter Sheridan, and Jimmy Murphy had been at the Mass.
Writer James Plunkett had been at the Mass also, comedian Dave Allen, actor John Hurt, psychiatrist Dr Ivor Browne, Mr Ruair’ Quinn of the Labour Party, retired Senator Eoin Ryan of Fianna F‡il, Mr Ken Murphy of the Law Society, Father Dermod McCarthy of RTƒ, Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna, and John Sheahan of the Dubliners, theatre critics David Nowlan and Emer O'Kelly, film censor Sheamus Smith, filmmaker Bob Quinn, broadcaster Ciar‡n Mac Mathœna, poet Theo Dorgan.
"I often looked up at the sky and assed myself 'what is the stars, what is the stars?" so John Kavanagh as Joxer asked him in Juno and the Paycock. He had his own answers to such questions. John Kavanagh was there as well.
As were Anna Manahan, Pat Laffan, Colm Meaney, Johnny Murphy, Jimmy Bartley, Stephen Brennan, Fidelma Cullen, Maire O'Neill, M‡ire N’ Grainne, Maureen Toal, Robert Carrickford, Lorcan Cranitch.
Phelim Drew, Susan Fitzgerald, Val Joyce, Rosaleen Linehan, Garret Keogh, Barry McGovern, Derek Chapman, Bosco Hogan, John Olohan, Macdara Flatharta, Deirdre O'Connell, Eamonn Morrisey, James Hickey, Patrick Mason and Martin Fahy of the Abbey Theatre, Marie Rooney from the Gate theatre, Dublin's Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Frehill, while the President was represented by Comdt Dermot O'Connor and the Taoiseach by Capt Micheal Kiernan. So many more.
"Donal had a deep faith," said Father Berney. In those last weeks he had told Father Weakliam "to love God is the most important thing, even more important than Beau, and she knows that."
Which is why a well-thumbed copy of the New Testament was among the offertory gifts. As was a copy of the Racing Post, acknowledging another great love of his - horses. They also brought up a period costume and a Steward of Christendom poster.
At the end of the Mass his good friend, the poet Paul Durcan, read his poem Faith Healer ... with its recollection of the first night of the 1990 production of that play when "I walked on water into the bar." He spoke in Monaseed yesterday of his first journey to Wexford without Donal and the mare Donal had bought there, now in foal for the second time.
There too was Michael D. Higgins. He spoke of the "something wonderful thatthe nation should mourn the death of an actor" - one whose talent was "a kind of truculent gimp aimed at excellence" - a man of "wonderful story-telling skills".
His story now is ended.
Earlier editions yesterday of a report headed "Donal McCann journeys home to his alma mater" made erroneous reference to the actor's "wife and three sons"as being among the mourners present at the removal of his remains. He was not married and did not have three sons. The error, which arose in the editing process, is deeply regretted and apologies are offered to all the family mourners for the mistake.
When errors occur it is the policy of The Irish Times to correct or clarify as soon as it is practicable.
Photo
The poet Paul Durcan, a very close friend of Donal McCann, pictured at his graveside, following the actor's burial in St Patrick's Cemetery, Monaseed, Co Wexford, yesterday.
Photograph: Bryan O'Brien
PHOTO: Irish Independant July 21, 1999
Barney McKenna and John Sheehan of the Dubliners chatting with Ciaran MacMathuna at the funeral of Donal McCann in Terenure College, Dublin yesterday
STARS OF stage and screen were joined by senior public representatives yesterday as the nation bade farewell to the actor Donal McCann at a Requiem Mass in Terenure College chapel in Dublin.
A stage costume from Juno and the Paycock, a well-thumbed New Testament and a copy of the Racing Post were among the offertory gifts that hinted at the diversity and colour of the late actor's life.
And a series of emotional tributes from playwright Sebastian Barry, poet Paul Durcan, former Arts Minister Michael D Higgins and Mr McCann's cousin, chief celebrant Fr Donal Berney, gave some insight into his impact on the lives of those close to him. As his remains were borne from the chapel at his alma mater, bound for his final resting place in Co Wexford, the large congregation of friends and family saluted the great performer with one last, loud standing ovation.
Donal McCann is survived by his partner Beau St Clair, his sister Margaret Berney and niece Lucy. Film actors John Hurt and Colm Meaney, and comedian Dave Allen were among the household names to pay their respects to the bereaved family members. The mourners also included leading playwrights in whose work McCann revelled: Brian Friel, Tom Murphy, Tom McIntyre and Bernard Farrell. President McAleese was represented by her ADC Comdt Dermot O'Connor.
Fr Berney said that apart from the influence of his father Jack and his teachers at Terenure, Donal's acting career was also shaped by the love of his late mother Margaret, who died just two years ago aged 88.
Donal was later laid to rest in the quiet rural graveyard adjoining St Patrick's Church in Monaseed, Gorey, Co Wexford. Bishop John McGee of Cloyne, a close relative, officiated at the graveside.
