Niall Tóibín, Actor, Writer, Comedian, Singer, Impressionist and Presenter, was the last of a veteran group of multi-talented performers from Cork City and, perhaps had the edge in versatility. Born into an Irish speaking family, he sang in the cathedral choir as a child and in the Opera House in Cork.
In his teens, he joined a drama society attached to the Gaelic League, performing locally until 1953 when he joined the illustrious Radio Eireann Players. Niall remained there for fourteen years, honing his considerable vocal skills. He then joined the Abbey Players as guest performer, creating the role of Brendan Behan in “Borstal Boy”, a performance still unsurpassed for its uncanny accuracy.
He also found time to write scripts for RTE and for his own stage and TV shows, and wrote the lyrics for several Gael Linn records. From the 1970s he appeared in sixty-four major Film and Television productions including such iconic series as, “Minder”, “The Irish RM”, “Coronation Street”, “Brideshead Revisited” and “Ballykissangel”.
Fittingly, Niall had several honours bestowed on him. In 1973, he won a Jacob’s Award for his performance in the RTE comedy series, “If the Cap Fits” and, Best Actor at the Christian Film and Television Excellence Awards. In 2003 the Mayor of London asked him to serve as the “Ambassador of Ireland” to their St. Patrick’s Day Festival. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from University College Cork, made a freeman of the city of his birth and honoured with the Irish Film and Television Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Professional to his fingertips, dedicated to his profession, and to the support of his fellow artists, Niall was a lifelong member of Irish Equity. He was also a committed campaigner for actors’ rights and, in the nineteen sixties, was instrumental in fighting for better conditions for the Abbey Players. Through Equity, he took on Ernest Blythe (the Abbeys’ Managing Director) who had refused to implement basic contracts. Our National Theatre performers owe a great debt to Nialls’ bravery for their current conditions of employment.
A true giant, and major talent of the entertainment profession in these Islands, and beyond, for an incredible sixty-five years, he will be greatly missed by so many. Words cannot express our gratitude for this life-long dedication.
Our sincere condolences to his children, Sighle, Aisling, Fiana, Sean and Muireann.
“Go bhfaigheadh Dia é i mbos a láimhe!” “May God hold him in the palm of his hand!”
Laurence Foster
November 2019
