Irish actor Gary Lydon, known for roles in 'The Guard' and 'The Banshees of Inisherin', dies 

Gary Lydon

Irish actor Gary Lydon, who starred in films such as The Guard and The Banshees of Inisherin, has died at the age of 61.

Born in England, he moved with his family to Wexford when he was a child.

Lydon worked extensively on stage and screen and featured in TV shows like On Home Ground and Pure Mule before his breakout role in RTÉ's The Clinic, where he played counsellor Patrick Murray.

Lydon also featured in a number of critically acclaimed films, including The Guard and The Banshees of Inisherin, both of which featured Brendan Gleeson.

He also appeared in crime drama Love/Hate and the film Brooklyn, based on the novel by Colm Tóibín.

On stage, Lydon appeared in the world premiere of  Banshees of Inisherin director Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Inishmaan.

Speaking previously to the Irish Examiner, he said he got into acting after struggling with college exams.

"After leaving school, I tried studying business for a couple of years but I failed the exams and decided to take a couple of years out," he said.

"Wexford Theatre Co-op had its own youth theatre where you could get on a type of job training scheme. Myself and a pal of mine decided to just go on down there and ask about joining.

"They gave me a script to read and that was that — I enjoyed being involved so much that I didn’t go back to college. My folks were not thrilled about my choice at the time.

"You got paid a little bit more than being on the dole for a couple of years and in a way it was better than going to a drama school as you got so much practical, hands-on experience."

Lydon said Wexford writer Billy Roche had a huge influence on his career and he made his London debut in Roche's play A Handful of Stars.

Gary Lydon

Paying tribute, the Wexford Arts Centre said it is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden loss of the actor.

A statement said Lydon "had only recently returned to our stage as the magnificent Phil in the terrific production of Of Mornington by Billy Roche".

"Gary had honed his craft as one of the finest actors in Ireland on the Wexford Arts Centre stage in many of Billy Roche's plays. He forged a stellar career performing across Ireland and the UK.

However, he will be remembered by us most fondly for his mesmerizing performances on the arts centre stage in productions of The Boker Poker Club (A Handful of Stars), One is not a Number, Lay Me Down Softly A Handful of Stars revival by Four Rivers Theatre and most recently as Phil in Of Mornington, the role he most wished to play and he embodied to perfection."

It added: "Though heartbreaking, it is fitting that his final role on our stage was performed alongside his son James Doherty O'Brien in a terrific performance as Mike, the young vulnerable snooker player with a suspect past.

"The lights in the theatre world are dimmer due to the loss of Gary, but we will cherish the memories of his performances with reverence."