Anna Maria Manahan (18 October 1924 – 8 March 2009) was an

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

stage, film and television actress. Manahan received two

Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play The Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play is an honor presented at the Tony Awards, a ceremony established in 1947 as the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, to actresses for quality supporting roles in a Broadway play. Th ...

nominations for her performances in the 1968 production of '' Lovers'' and the 1998 production of ''

The Beauty Queen of Leenane ''The Beauty Queen of Leenane'' is a 1996 dramatic play by Martin McDonagh which was premiered by the Druid Theatre Company in Galway, Ireland. It also enjoyed successful runs at London's West End, Broadway and Off-Broadway. It was nominate ...

''. She won for the latter of which at the 52nd Tony Awards. Manahan was also nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award in her career spanned more than 60 years. She interpreted the works of, among others,

Seán O'Casey Seán O'Casey ( ga, Seán Ó Cathasaigh ; born John Casey; 30 March 1880 – 18 September 1964) was an Irish dramatist and memoirist. A committed socialist, he was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes. ...

, John B. Keane,

John Millington Synge Edmund John Millington Synge (; 16 April 1871 – 24 March 1909) was an Irish playwright, poet, writer, collector of folklore, and a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. His best known play ''The Playboy of the Western World'' was poorly r ...

, Oscar Wilde,

James Joyce James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 – 13 January 1941) was an Irish novelist, poet, and literary critic. He contributed to the modernist avant-garde movement and is regarded as one of the most influential and important writers of ...

, Martin McDonagh,

Christy Brown Christy Brown (5 June 1932 – 7 September 1981) was an Irish writer and painter who had cerebral palsy and was able to write or type only with the toes of one foot. His most recognized work is his autobiography, titled ''My Left Foot'' (1954). ...

, and

Brian Friel Brian Patrick Friel (c. 9 January 1929 – 2 October 2015) was an Irish dramatist, short story writer and founder of the Field Day Theatre Company. He had been considered one of the greatest living English-language dramatists. (subscription req ...

Career

Manahan was born in County Waterford in what was then the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland). Her career began when, as a young woman, she was recruited by the legendary Irish impresarios and theatrical directors Micheál MacLiammóir and

Hilton Edwards Hilton Edwards (2 February 1903 – 18 November 1982) was an English-born Irish actor, lighting designer and theatrical producer. He co-founded the Gate Theatre with his partner Micheál Mac Liammóir and two others, and has been referred to as ...

. She later married stage director Colm O'Kelly, who died not long afterwards of polio, which he contracted after swimming in the

Nile The Nile, , Bohairic , lg, Kiira , Nobiin: Áman Dawū is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the longest river in Africa and has historically been considered the longest ...

during a theatre tour of

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

. They had no children and she never remarried. She was known professionally by her maiden name. In 1946 she appeared in a production by Irish playwright

Teresa Deevy Teresa Deevy (21 January 1894 – 19 January 1963) was an Irish dramatist and writer, who was deaf from the age of 19. Best known for her works for theatre, she was also a short story writer, and writer for radio. Early life Teresa Deevy w ...

, ''The Wild Goose'' where she played the part of Eileen Connolly, this was performed by Equity Productions in the Theatre Royal, Waterford. In 1957, she played Serafina in the first Irish production of

Tennessee Williams Thomas Lanier Williams III (March 26, 1911 – February 25, 1983), known by his pen name Tennessee Williams, was an American playwright and screenwriter. Along with contemporaries Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, he is considered among the thr ...

' ''

The Rose Tattoo ''The Rose Tattoo'' is a three-act play written by Tennessee Williams in 1949 and 1950; after its Chicago premiere on December 29, 1950, he made further revisions to the play for its Broadway premiere on February 2, 1951, and its publication by ...

'' and achieved unexpected notoriety when she and several other members of the cast were arrested for the possession of a condom on stage. Manahan played a minor role in the Irish cult soap opera ''

The Riordans ''The Riordans'' was the second Irish television drama serial made by Raidio Telefís Éireann (then called ''Telefís Éireann''). It ran from 1965 to 1979 and was set in the fictional townland of Leestown in County Kilkenny. Its location fi ...

'' (1960s), and as Mrs. Kenefick in the TV comedy ''

Me Mammy ''Me Mammy'' is a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1968 to 1971. Starring Milo O'Shea, it was written by Hugh Leonard. Background ''Me Mammy'' first aired as pilot within the seventh series of the BBC's ''Comedy Playhouse''. The pilot and ...

'' (1970s). She also played the lead in the Irish comedy series, '' Leave It To Mrs O'Brien'' (1980s) and Mrs. Cadogan in '' The Irish R.M.'' (1980s). Most recently she played Ursula in ''

Fair City ''Fair City'' is an Irish television soap opera which has been broadcast on RTÉ One since 1989. Produced by the public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), it first aired on Monday, 18 September 1989. It has won several awa ...

'', for which her niece, Michele Manahan (daughter of Michael Manahan), is a writer. She had an extensive theatre portfolio having played at theatres throughout Ireland including the

Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre ( ga, Amharclann na Mainistreach), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland ( ga, Amharclann Náisiúnta na hÉireann), in Dublin, Ireland, is one of the country's leading cultural institutions. First opening to the p ...

, the UK, continental Europe, the USA and Australia. She won the

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Mag in Martin McDonagh's ''

'' on Broadway. She previously received a Tony nomination in 1969 for

's ''Lovers''. The late Irish playwright John B. Keane wrote the play ''Big Maggie'' specifically for her. In 2001 she starred in Keane's ''The Matchmaker'' with veteran Irish actor Des Keogh. In 2005 she starred in ''Sisters'', a new play by Declan Hassett that was also written for her and for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in the category of Outstanding Solo Performance. The production toured Ireland and was staged at the International Festival of World Theatre in

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the wes ...

and also played at the 59e59 Theater in New York City in 2006. She appeared in films starring, among others, Laurence Olivier,

Peter Cushing Peter Wilton Cushing (26 May 1913 – 11 August 1994) was an English actor. His acting career spanned over six decades and included appearances in more than 100 films, as well as many television, stage, and radio roles. He achieved recognition ...

Kenneth More Kenneth Gilbert More, CBE (20 September 1914 – 12 July 1982) was an English film and stage actor. Initially achieving fame in the comedy '' Genevieve'' (1953), he appeared in many roles as a carefree, happy-go-lucky gent. Films from this per ...

, Christopher Walken, Maggie Smith, Albert Finney and

Brenda Fricker Brenda Fricker (born 17 February 1945) is an Irish actress, whose career has spanned six decades on stage and screen. She has appeared in more than 30 films and television roles. In 1990, she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Awar ...

, and with

John Gielgud Sir Arthur John Gielgud, (; 14 April 1904 – 21 May 2000) was an English actor and theatre director whose career spanned eight decades. With Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier, he was one of the trinity of actors who dominated the Brit ...

in ''

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man ''A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'' is the first novel of Irish writer James Joyce. A ''Künstlerroman'' written in a modernist style, it traces the religious and intellectual awakening of young Stephen Dedalus, Joyce's fictional al ...

'' (1977). She received the Gold Medal of the Éire Society of Boston in 1984 and thus joined the company of past recipients such as

John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination ...

, and film makers

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

and John Huston. She received an

honorary doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hon ...

in letters from the

University of Limerick The University of Limerick (UL) ( ga, Ollscoil Luimnigh) is a public research university institution in Limerick, Ireland. Founded in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, it became a university in 1989 in accordance w ...

in 2003. She was granted the freedom of the city of

Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...

in 2002 in recognition of her life's achievement in the arts. She thus became the 28th Freeman of Waterford since

Isaac Butt Isaac Butt (6 September 1813 – 5 May 1879) was an Irish barrister, editor, politician, Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, economist and the founder and first leader of a number of Irish nationalist part ...

in 1877. In 2004 she started to play the role of Ursula in ''Fair City''. ''All About Anna'' (2005) a documentary on her life and work was made by Charlie Mc Carthy/Icebox Films for RTÉ television. In 2008, she became the first ever patron of the Active Retirement Ireland organization.

Death and funeral

Manahan died of

multiple organ failure Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is altered organ function in an acutely ill patient requiring medical intervention to achieve homeostasis. Although Irwin and Rippe cautioned in 2005 that the use of "multiple organ failure" or "multisy ...

on 8 March 2009 in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

."Anna Manahan, Tony-Winning Irish Actress, Is Dead at 84"
10 March 2009, ''The New York Times'' She had suffered from a longterm illness. Manahan, Anna (Maria)
on Dictionary of Irish Biography Her funeral was held on 11 March, officiated by her "longtime friend" the psychoanalyst, poet, and priest Bernard Kennedy. "As the final curtain falls, the lights dim, the auditorium becomes silent, we remember her" he said. Describing her as a woman of faith (who "sought to bring the word of God alive"), he said she had brought everyone together to be present at "her last great exit from this great stage of life," saying her life's work had drawn people from all over the world. "Anna believed in the empty tomb of the Resurrection and she believed the empty tomb could be filled by hearing the word take the place of the emptiness," he said. "She knew the bedsits which preceded the Tony nomination." Manahan was buried in Ballygunner Cemetery,

Knockboy Knockboy (''An Cnoc Buí'' in Irish, meaning ''Yellow Mountain'') is a 706-metre-high mountain on the border between counties Cork and Kerry in Ireland. Geography Knockboy is the highest peak in the Shehy mountain range and the highest m ...

Filmography

Film

* '' She Didn't Say No!'' (1958)Filmreference.com
/ref> - Maggie Murphy * ''

Of Human Bondage ''Of Human Bondage'' is a 1915 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The novel is generally agreed to be Maugham's masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature, although he stated, "This is a novel, not an autobiography; though much in i ...

'' (1964, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) - Waitress (uncredited) * '' Ulysses'' (1967, Continental Distributing) - Bella Cohen * '' The Viking Queen'' (1967, Twentieth Century Fox) - Shopkeeper's Wife * ''

'' (1977) * '' Clash of the Titans'' (1981, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/ United Artists) - A Stygian Witch #2 * ''

All Dogs Go to Heaven ''All Dogs Go to Heaven'' is a 1989 animated musical fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots a ...

'' (animated 1989, United Artists) - Stella Dallas (voice) * ''

Hear My Song ''Hear My Song'' is a 1991 British comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom, who co-wrote the screenplay with Adrian Dunbar, based on the story of Irish tenor Josef Locke. It was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 46th British Ac ...

'' (1991, Miramax) - Mrs. McGlinchy * ''

Fatal Inheritance Fatal may refer to: * ''Fatal'' (album), by Hussein Fatal, 2002 * ''Fatal'' (film), a 2010 French film starring Michaël Youn and Stéphane Rousseau * '' F.A.T.A.L.'', a tabletop role-playing game released in 2003 * Fatal Recordings, a record ...

'' (1993) - Mrs. Griffith * '' A Business Affair'' (1994) - Bianca * '' A Man of No Importance'' (1994, Sony Pictures Classics) - Mrs. Grace * ''

A Troll in Central Park ''A Troll in Central Park'' (released in some countries as ''Stanley's Magic Garden'') is a 1994 American animated musical fantasy comedy film co-directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. The film stars the voice talents of Dom DeLuise, Cloris Leach ...

'' (animated, 1994) - (voice) * '' Woman Found Dead in Elevator'' (2000, Short) - Answering Service * '' On the Edge'' (2001, Universal) - Cat Woman * '' Black Day at Blackrock'' (2001) - Cat Woman

Television performances

* ''Art of Reception'' (1954, Documentary) * ''

'' (TV Series, RTÉ, Ireland, 1960s) * ''

ITV Play of the week ''Play of the Week'' is a 90-minute British television anthology series produced by a variety of companies including Granada Television, Associated-Rediffusion, ATV and Anglia Television. Synopsis From 1955 to 1967 approximately 500 episodes ...

'' (1958, Episode: "Playboy of the Western World") - Widow Quin * ''

The Wednesday Play ''The Wednesday Play'' is an anthology series of British television plays which ran on BBC1 for six seasons from October 1964 to May 1970. The plays were usually original works written for television, although dramatic adaptations of fiction ...

'' (1965) - Mrs. O'Brien * ''

Theatre 625 ''Theatre 625'' is a British television drama anthology series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC2 from 1964 to 1968. It was one of the first regular programmes in the line-up of the channel, and the title referred to its production a ...

'' (1965) - Harriet Reilley * ''

Insurrection Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

'' (1966) - Housewife * ''

Z-Cars ''Z-Cars'' or ''Z Cars'' (pronounced "zed cars") is a British television police procedural series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby, near Liverpool. Produced by the BBC, it debut ...

'' (1967, U.K.) - Mrs. Boswell * ''

Sanctuary A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This secondary use can be categorized into human sanctuary, a sa ...

'' (1968) - Mrs. O'Reilly * ''The Mike Douglas Show'' (1968, USA) - Herself * ''

'' (1968-1971, BBC, U.K.) - Mrs. Kennefick * ''Fine Girl You Are'' (1973, TV Movie) - Olive * ''Teems of Times'' (1978) - Granny Furlong * '' Play for Today'' (1979) - Maggie Donoghue * ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in ...

'' (1980, TV Movie) - The Vengeance * ''Juno and the Paycock'' (1980, TV Movie) - Mrs. Madigan * ''The Ballyskillen Opera House'' (1981) - Theresa Halligan * ''Roger Doesn't Live Here Anymore'' (1981) - Woman in court * ''

ITV Playhouse ''Playhouse'' is a British television anthology series that ran from 1967 to 1983, which featured contributions from playwrights such as Dennis Potter, Rhys Adrian and Alan Sharp. The series began in black and white, but was later shot in colour ...

'' (1974-1982) - Mary Higgins / Mother * ''The Country Girls'' (1983, TV Movie) - Mrs. Burns * '' The Irish R.M.'' (1983-1985, TV Series, Channel 4, U.K.) * ''Leave It to Mrs O'Brien'' (1985, TV Movie, RTÉ, Ireland,1984) - Mrs. O'Brien * ''Lost Belongings'' (1987) - Cilla * '' Small World'' (1988, U.K.) - Nosy neighbour * '' Blind Justice'' (1988) - Cora Davis * ''

The Bill ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused o ...

'' (1989-1997, U.K.) - Mrs. Ward / Mrs. Kavanagh * ''The Treaty'' (1991, TV Movie) - Woman 2 * ''Heaven Only Knows'' (1992, Short) - Greta * ''

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles ''The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles'' is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 4, 1992, to July 24, 1993. Filming took place in various locations around the world, with "Old Indy" bookend segments filmed in Wilmington, Nort ...

'' (1993, ABC, USA) - Old Woman at GPO * '' Lovejoy'' (1993, BBC, U.K.) - Irish Lil * ''Dear Boy:The Story of Michael MacLiammoir'' (1999) * ''

Straight to Video Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was ...

'' (2000) - Mammy Lily * '' The Clinic'' (2004) - Brendan's Nan * ''Fair City'' (2004-2009, RTÉ, Ireland) - Ursula Cruise (final appearance) * ''All About Anna'' (2005, RTÉ, Ireland, A television documentary about Manahan) * ''Ireland AM'' (2005) - Herself

Theatre performances

* A Christmas Carol (1967, Gemini Productions, Gate Theatre, Dublin)Irishplayography.com
/ref> * A Miracle in Ballymore (Red Kettle TC) * An Old Lady's Guide to Survival (Red Kettle TC) * Big Love (2003, Peacock Theatre, Dublin)Abbeytheatre.ie Abbeytheatre.ie
/ref> * Big Maggie (written for her by John B. Keane) * Bloomsday * Cat on a Hot Tin Roof * Drama at Inish (2005, Abbey theatre, Dublin) * Entertaining Mr Sloane * Happy Birthday Dear Alice (1999, Red Kettle TC, Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford)Redkettletheatre.com
* I Do Not Like Thee Dr. Fell (1988, Druid TC)Druid.ie
/ref> * Little City (1962, Gemini Productions) * Live Like Pigs (1958, Royal Court Theatre, London, World premiere) * Lovers (1969, Abbey Theatre Dublin, London and Broadway: Tony nomination)Internet Broadway Database
/ref> * Moon for the Misbegotten * Red Riding Hood * Sive (2002, Druid) * Skull in Connemara (1997, World premiere, Druid TC, Royal Court Theatre, Duke of York's Theatre, London, and Sydney Festival) * Sisters (2005, written for her by Declan Hassett, toured to Ireland, U.K., USA: Colorado & Broadway) * Sweet and Sour (Gemini Productions) * The Beauty Queen of Leenane (one and a half years on Broadway: Tony Award) (Druid TC) * The Cherry Orchard (Gate Theatre, Dublin) * The Crucible (1995, Red Kettle TC, Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford) * The Dead (1967, Gemini Productions, Olympia Theatre, Dublin) * The Doss House Waltz (1985, Gemini Productions, Eblana Theatre, Dublin) * The Gingerbread Lady * The Guernica Hotel (Red Kettle TC, World premiere) * The House of Bernarda Alba (1950, Abbey Theatre Dublin) * The Killing of Sister George * The Loves of Cass Maguire (Druid TC) * The Matchmaker (2001, Gemini Productions, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin; 2002, Irish Repertory Theatre, New York City) * The Old Lady's Guide to Survival (1996. Re Kettle TC, Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford) * The Plough and the Stars (RNT: Olivier nomination) * The Private Death of a Queen (1986, Gemini Productions, Eblana Theatre, Dublin) * The Rose Tattoo (1957) * The Shaughraun (1990, Abbey Theatre, Dublin) * The Taylor and Ansty (Gemini Productions) * The Wild Goose (1946) Equity Productions * Uncle Vanya (Gate Theatre, Dublin) * Year of the Hiker (Gemini Productions) * Zozz (1980, Gemini Productions, Olympia Theatre, Dublin)

Radio performances

* Talking Heads (RTÉ) * Happy Birthday Dear Alice (RTÉ) * All That Fall (BBC) * Ballylenon (BBC) * The Beckett Radio Plays (2006, RTÉ) * The Shadow of a Gunman (BBC)
/ref>

References

External links

* * * Anna Manahan at th
Teresa Deevy Archive
* Anna Manahan at th
Abbey Theatre Archive
* Anna Manahan at th
Theatre Royal WaterfordJournals re arrestDeclan Hassett's works59e59 TheaterEire Society
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manahan, Anna 1924 births 2009 deaths Deaths from multiple organ failure Disease-related deaths in the Republic of Ireland Irish film actresses Irish soap opera actresses Irish stage actresses Irish television actresses People from County Waterford