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Statement by President Higgins on the death of Eugene McCabe

Date: Thu 27th Aug, 2020 | 15:30

“It is with deep regret and much sadness that I have learned of the death of Eugene McCabe, playwright, author, farmer and member of Aosdána.

Eugene McCabe will be remembered for an outstanding contribution to Irish theatre, for his award-winning television plays and for a body of writing that confronted with courage issues in Irish society.

His considerable skill as a storyteller was applied in a wide variety of styles and genres, be it novels, short stories, plays or writing for children. He explored complex themes, including the legacy of colonialism and the hatred inherent in sectarianism.

Like few others, Eugene McCabe was able to capture the complexity of differing viewpoints, and particularly of those confronted with bigotry and fundamentalism.

Sabina and I were privileged to know him. Sabina has fond memories of her involvement in his play “Some Women On The Island”. He corresponded with me on my poem “the Death of Mary Doyle” on which he made a valuable critique. We were pleased that he was able to be present for the performance in Áras an Uachtaráin of his play “Pull Down A Horseman”, in February 2016.

The world of Irish theatre has lost someone who was a powerful and original contributor to Irish letters.

Sabina and I would like to express our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and all those who will have come to love and appreciate his work.”