Tributes are being paid for Irish actress, Moira Hoey (nee Deady) who passed away yesterday (15 Nov), she was 88. Best known for her portrayal of Mary Riordan in 70’s series, ‘The Riordans’, Moira also starred in several Irish features including ‘Angela’s Ashes’, ‘The Tiger’s Tale’ and ‘This is My Father’.
Moira played the role of Mary Riordan, on screen wife to the late John Crowley’s character, Tom. She played this role from the mid 60’s to the end of the ‘70’s after which she went on to enjoy roles in other Irish series such as ‘Glenroe’, ‘The Irish R.M.’ and ‘Legend’. Her film work includes roles in ‘Headrush’ as Mrs. Macroom; ‘The Tiger’s Tail’ as Liam’s mother, Maeve and ‘This Is My Father’ as Mrs. Kearney. She passed away on the morning of November 15th after a brief illness.
Minister for Culture, Mary Hanafin TD, expressed her sadness on hearing of Moira’s death, saying: “In her role as the matriarch of ‘The Riordans’ homestead, she was ever present, each Sunday, on our television screens dealing with the changing landscape and domestic issues that Ireland as a country was experiencing. No matter what the issue being aired on screen was about, Mary would always act as the calming influence where friction arose and once the tea was made, all would work out for the good.”
Director General of RTÉ, Cathal Goan also paid trivute to the late actress, saying: “It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Moira Deady (Hoey). Moira entertained the nation for 14 years playing Mary Riordan on The Riordans from 1965 to 1979 and also went on to star in both Bracken and Glenroe thereafter. A hugely talented actress, as matriarch of The Riordans she was at the heart of the soap which centred on the fictional Kilkenny farming family. She was never less than persuasive, moving, entertaining and wonderfully convincing in a soap that broke taboos and attracted hundreds of thousands of loyal viewers week-in and week-out. On behalf of colleagues who had the pleasure of working directly with her, and those who have followed in her wake, benefiting from her great craft, I would like to express our sincere sympathy to her family, and many friends in the arts community in Ireland.”
Actor Tom Hickey, who played Benjy, Mary Riordan’s son in ’The Riordans’, was full of praise for his former co-star: “Mary Riordan was the archetypal mother,” he commented. “She was fierce in defence of her family. She was a wonderful mother who loved her family unconditionally but she could be stormy at times. That was hardly surprising though – she must hold the record for making the most cups of tea in Ireland! As for Moira Deady the woman, she was simply a joy to work with. We had many many laughs working together. She had the most infectious and vibrant sense of humour. She was a wonderful woman.”
