Actor David Heap, who played Donal Maher in Fair City, has died at the age of 76.
The English-born actor moved to Ireland after playing the original Captain Lancey in the world premiere of Translations by Brian Friel in 1980.
Heap had been diagnosed with Corticobasal Syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative disease, last year.
His wife, actor Olwen Fouéré, confirmed the news of his death on Tuesday “in my arms at home” in a social media post.
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His performance as Captain Lancey was part of the “first ever” production from the Field Day theatre company created by Stephen Rea and Brian Friel, Fouéré said.
“He was a special man and a beautiful soul. Go well, my love xxx.”
Heap was born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire on May 21st 1949. He received his education at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Sharing a tribute on Wednesday, Dublin’s Gate Theatre said it was “very saddened to learn of” Heap’s death.
“David performed memorably in many Gate Theatre productions including Salomé, The Importance of being Earnest and Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” the post, containing a selection of stills from each production, read.
The Abbey Theatre also paid tribute to the actor, expressing its “sincere sympathies to David’s family and friends in Ireland,” to Fouéré, and to “his extensive theatrical family worldwide”.
In a statement, it said Heap would be “remembered as a champion of emerging artists and generous to all he worked with, bringing an enthusiasm and joy to each project.”
Heap first worked with the Abbey in 1990, performing in several shows across both of the theatre’s stages. His favourite role was that of Croucher in The Silver Tassie by Seán O’Casey, the tribute said.
RTÉ described Heap as “a wonderfully talented actor,” who “relished” playing Fair City’s “baddie” for more than a decade.
Following news of his death, the broadcaster said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, David Heap. David portrayed Donal Maher in Fair City for more than a decade and was a wonderfully talented actor.
“He relished playing the show’s ‘baddie’ and will be fondly remembered for some of the programme’s most memorable storylines, including his long-running affair with Nicola, his IT company Blue Dolphin, and his dramatic confrontations with Paul Brennan.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Olwen and David’s family, friends and colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Heap also portrayed Brian Noonan, a junior minister and friend of Bishop Brennan in the TV comedy series Father Ted.
