Taoiseach Enda Kenny describes Brian Friel as a 'giant of theatre'

Update 11.30 Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “The nation and the world have lost one of the giants of theatre"

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “The nation and the world have lost one of the giants of theatre" upon hearing the news that Irish playwright Brian Friel has died at the age of 86.

“His mythical stories from Ballybeg reached all corners of the world from Dublin to London to Broadway and on to the silver screen. All of his plays, including Translations, Faith Healer, Philadelphia, Here I Come! and Dancing At Lughnasa, will forever form part of the canon of greatness in dramatic writing.