The actor, TP McKenna, well known for his stage, film and television work, has died in London following a long illness.
According to The Irish Times his son Breffní yesterday said his father would be deeply missed and fondly remembered by family and friends: “He was an irascible old bugger, but I loved him.”
The 81-year-old, who died on Sunday evening, had established himself as one of the finest and most versatile actors of his generation, on stage, television and in film, in a career spanning half a century.
Following several years on the stage he began appearing in television dramas from the 1960s including 'Dangerman', 'Adam Adamant', 'The Avengers', 'The Saint', 'Jason King', 'The Sweeney', 'Blakes 7', 'Doctor Who' and 'Minder' .
He also had film roles in 'Ulysses' (1967), 'Straw Dogs' (1971) and 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' (1977).
Born in Mullagh, Co Cavan, in 1929, McKenna took a job in Ulster Bank in Granard, Co Longford, straight from school in the late 1940s.
He had always intended to become an actor and following a transfer to a Dublin branch of the bank quickly became involved in local amateur drama.
Having fallen behind with his bank exams, he was offered a transfer back to Cavan, which cemented his resolve to take up acting full-time.
His son Breffní added: “He joined the Abbey Theatre in 1954 following the suggestion that he would be sent back to Killeshandra in Cavan. He left the bank and didn’t look back.”
In addition to his work in Irish theatre, he played with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre Company.
His West End debut was as Cranly in 'Stephen D' at the St Martin’s Theatre in 1963.
He also directed productions of 'The Playboy of the Western World', 'The Death and Resurrection of Mr Roache' and 'Shadow of A Gunman' .
He is survived by his sons Rafe, Killian, Breffní and Stephen and his daughter Sally, and he will be laid to rest in Mullagh alongside his wife May, who died five years ago.
Paying tribute, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin, said: "TP McKenna's acting career spanned decades and his body of work on stage and screen is considerable.
"Starting his professional acting career on the stage in Dublin with early performances in the Abbey Theatre, he moved to the large and small screen with great ease, taking on many memorable roles in iconic films and TV programmes.
"TP was one of a great generation of Irish actors whose talents on the screen and stage both at home and abroad gave us all great pride in his accomplishments.
"His ability to take ownership of the characters he portrayed in a variety of genre is a credit to the breadth of his skill as an actor.
"I want to offer my sympathies to his sons and daughter at this sad time."
