An award-winning Irish actor, with roles in The Banshees of Inisherin, The Guard and Love/Hate, has died this weekend at the age of 61.

Gary Lydon was born in London, and made the move to Wexford at nine years old.

The actor made his foray into acting in the 80s, taking to the stage at The Bush Theatre in London before making the move to the TV screen.

(L to R) Gary Lydon & Peter Coonan. Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins

Many will remember Gary as Patrick Murray in beloved TV series The Clinic.

The role in the medical drama led Lydon to picking up two IFT [Irish Film and Television Awards].

Lydon also had an appearance on Love/Hate among other TV shows, before making his debut onto the silver screen.

Pictured left to right, actors, Gary Lydon as an NYPD police chief and Declan Conlon as the lead gangster during a rain scene at a preview of Drum Belly, the Abbey Theatre. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.

Throughout his illustrious career, Lydon shared the screen with major names.

One of his most recent endeavours was as Garda Peadar Kearney on the 2022 Banshees of Inisherin, which also starred Barry Keoghan, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

Wexford Arts Centre led tributes to the late Gary Lydon, sharing that the actor had just recently returned to their stage for Of Mornington.

Peter Coonan and Gary Lydon. Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins

‘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,’ the centre wrote, ‘He forged a stellar career performing across Ireland & the UK.

‘Gary had also supported development of new plays in our Wexford Playwrights Studio taking part in a stage reading of Lights Out by Hannan McNiven produced by Four River Theatre behind closed doors during COVID.’

Going into further detail of Gary’s role within the centre, they concluded to note: ‘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.

‘Deepest sympathies to his family, friends, stage & screen colleagues & to Billy Roche, his creative alliance collaborator for over forty years.’

Fellow social media users took to the comments to extend their condolences, with one writing: ‘Shocked to read this sad news. Always so recognizable with his strong Wexford accent and always stopped for a chat about what he had coming up.’

Another added: ‘Sad and shocking news on a Sunday morning. Rest in peace Gary and thank you for your singular contribution to Irish theatre.’

A third commented: ‘Cannot believe I’m reading of Gary’s passing. A great actor and a great man.’