Gary Lydon

Gary Mark O'Brien (11 September 1964 [1]– 30 April 2026[2]), known professionally as Gary Lydon, was an Irish stage and screen actor.[3] He played the role of Garda Peadar Kearney in The Banshees of Inisherin.[4]

Early life

Born in London in 1964 to Irish parents Jimmy O'Brien and his wife Judy (nee Lydon) and growing up in Northolt,[4] Lydon moved with his family to Wexford, Ireland, when he was nine.[4]

As of November 2022, he was living in Leitrim.[5]

Career

Lydon played Patrick Murray, the counsellor on RTÉ One's The Clinic, from 2003 to 2009,[6] a role for which he won an IFTA for Best Supporting Actor in 2007.[7] He also played Bomber in Pure Mule.[8]

He performed on stage as Brendan in Borstal Boy and in Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman.[9][10]

Family

Lydon had two sons, Seanluke O'Brien and James Doherty O'Brien. James appeared on stage in Of Mornington alongside his father.[11][12]

Death

Lydon died suddenly on 30 April 2026, aged 61.[13][14]

Filmography

  • 2025 The Sandy Banks – Daniel
  • 2024 Vanilla – Dr. Joe
  • 2023 Barber – Johnny Mulligan[15]
  • 2022 The Banshees of Inisherin – Garda Peadar Kearney
  • 2022 Lakelands – Bernie[16]
  • 2022 An Encounter (Short) – The Man
  • 2022 Sprachlos in Irland (TV Movie) – Geistlicher (by Florian Gärtner)[17]
  • 2020 Broken Law – Superintendent Byrne[18]
  • 2017 Striking Out (TV Series) – Judge Harrison[19]
  • 2016 The Flag – Foley[20]
  • 2015 Brooklyn – Mr. Farrell[21]
  • 2015 The Hallow – Doyle[22]
  • 2014 The Guarantee – Brian Cowen[23]
  • 2014 Love/Hate (TV Series) – Chief Superintendent[4]
  • 2014 Calvary – Inspector Stanton[24]
  • 2012 Shadow Dancer – Geoff[25]
  • 2011 War Horse – Si Easton[23]
  • 2011 Stella Days – Larry[26]
  • 2011 The Guard – Gerry Stanton[27]
  • 2003–2009 The Clinic (TV Series) – Patrick Murray[4]
  • 2006 Small Engine Repair – Big Eddy[4]
  • 2005 Pure Mule (TV Series) – Bomber Brennan[19]
  • 2005 Boy Eats Girl – Garda Sergeant
  • 2004 Six Shooter (Short) – Chief Guard
  • 2001–2002 On Home Ground (TV Series) – Cathal O'Connor[28]
  • 2002 Sinners (TV Movie) – Patrick
  • 2002 Fergus's Wedding (TV Series) – Shay[28]
  • 2000 Ordinary Decent Criminal – Tom Rooney[29]

References

  1. ^ www.imdb.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0527994/. Retrieved 4 May 2026. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Death Notice of Gary LYDON (Leitrim) | rip.ie". rip.ie. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  3. ^ Irish actor and Banshees of Inisherin star Gary Lydon dies aged 61, Auryn Cox, BBC News, published 3 May 2026
  4. ^ a b c d e f McBride, Charlie (12 February 2015). "'I'm proud to have Connemara blood in me'". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  5. ^ Pepper, Maria (16 November 2022). "Inside filming of The Banshees of Inisherin with Wexford actor Gary Lydon in the darkest role of his career". Wexford People.
  6. ^ Pepper, Maria (6 May 2009). "Gary Lydon: From Theatre to TV star". Wicklow People. Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via Independent.ie.
  7. ^ "Winners 2007". IFTA.ie.
  8. ^ "Television: Liam Fay: The Midland Tribune". The Sunday Times. 11 September 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  9. ^ Fennell, Hilary (21 February 2015). "This much I know: Gary Lydon, actor". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  10. ^ Sweeney, Tanya (5 November 2021). "Mark O'Halloran: 'I can never retire. I can never afford to be sick, I can never falter'". Independent.ie. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Shock at sudden death of Banshees of Inisherin star and IFTA winner Gary Lydon (61)". Irish Independent. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  12. ^ Irish actor and Banshees of Inisherin star Gary Lydon dies aged 61, Auryn Cox, BBC News, published 3 May 2026
  13. ^ "Shock at sudden death of Banshees of Inisherin star and IFTA winner Gary Lydon (61)". Irish Independent. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  14. ^ The death has occurred of Gary Lydon
  15. ^ "Fintan Connolly's Barber to have theatrical release in North America". IFTN.ie.
  16. ^ "Midlands duo's film gets Ireland and UK cinema release". Westmeath Examiner. 15 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Filme im MDR: Sprachlos in Irland | ARD Mediathek". ARDMediaThek.de.
  18. ^ Kehoe, Paddy (29 July 2020). "Broken Law's Cain & Abel conflicted brothers theme". RTÉ TEN.
  19. ^ a b Kelly, Justin (6 May 2020). "The cast of Pure Mule - Where are they now?". OffalyExpress.ie.
  20. ^ "The Flag - Cinema, Movie, Film Review". Entertainment.ie. 5 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Cast Announced For The Irish Premiere of Hangmen by Martin McDonagh". Movies.ie. 7 December 2022.
  22. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (6 November 2015). "Review: In 'The Hallow,' Evil Lurks in the Irish Woods". NYTimes.com.
  23. ^ a b Nolan, Larissa (20 September 2023). "Actor who played Brian Cowen keeps firm grip on budget". TheTimes.co.uk.
  24. ^ "The Four Minute Interview: Gary Lydon". Independent.ie. 14 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Yandex". KinoPoisk.ru.
  26. ^ "Stella Days". Tvguide.com.
  27. ^ "Gleeson relishes cop role in 'The Guard'". IrishEcho.com.
  28. ^ a b "Q&A With IFTA Winning Actor Gary Lydon". Iftn.ie.
  29. ^ "Ordinary Decent Criminal". TVGuide.com.
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