Deirdre O'Connell

Eleanore Deirdre O'Connell (16 June 1939 – 9 June 2001) was an Irish American actress, singer, and theatre director who founded the Focus Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.

This article is about the Irish American actress, singer, and theatre director. For the American character actress, see Deirdre O'Connell (actress).
Deirdre O'Connell
Born
Eleanore Deirdre O'Connell

(1939-06-16)16 June 1939
South Bronx, New York, United States
Died9 June 2001(2001-06-09) (aged 61)
Dublin, Ireland
Other namesActress, singer, theatre director
Spouse(s)Luke Kelly (1965-1970s)

Biography

O'Connell was born in the South Bronx district of New York City, one of five children whose parents were Irish immigrants. When she finished school, she pursued her interest in theatre studying first at Erwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop, New York City, and later at the Actors Studio run by Lee Strasberg. In her early twenties, O'Connell moved to Dublin, Ireland, where she set up the Stanislavski Studio at the Pocket Theatre. There she trained a small company of actors in Stanislavski's system. In 1967, she founded the Focus Theatre, becoming its manager, artistic director, and fundraiser—as well as acting in many of its productions.[1]

She was a noted folk-singer and performed at the Newport Folk Festival. She married the Irish singer Luke Kelly in June 1965,[1] but they separated in the early 1970s.[2]

O'Connell died of cancer at her home in Dublin at the age of 61 and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.[3]

Further reading
  • O'Connell Cusack, Geraldine, Children of the Far-flung, The Liffey Press (Oct 2003), ISBN 978-1-904148-33-3
  • Exit, stage left (obituary)
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References
  1. "Single-minded actor behind Focus Theatre", The Irish Times, 16 June 2001
  2. "Kelly, Luke". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. Exit, stage left, Sunday Independent, 17 June 2001,
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