Actor who receives Freedom of city gets tribute from President

The President, Michael D. Higgins, has paid tribute this evening to a well-known Cork actor, who has passed away.

President Higgins said: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of acclaimed Irish actor, writer, director and adjudicator of amateur dramatics, Michael Twomey."

He said: "Michael Twomey was a man of immense, character and talent, and one of our most gifted actors who made a profound and distinctive contribution to our society. He was a man of powerful presence coupled with captivating personality and talent."

The President said: "His contribution and commitment to theatre and the arts was immeasurable. He received many awards throughout his illustrious career including an award for his lifetime contribution to professional and amateur theatre, arts and song in Cork City."

He will be remembered fondly by all of us who knew him and enjoyed his humour, his talent, and his generosity in mentoring and supporting the development of emerging talent in theatre.

President Higgins said: Sabina and I wish to express our deepest sympathies to his wife, Marie, his children, Sharon, Laura, Des, their grandchildren, and his colleagues and wide circle of friends."

Mr Twomey performed in theatre in Cork for over 70 years and in 2013 he received the Freedom of Cork.

He made his first appearance on stage in 1944 at the age of 11 and met his future wife Maria, while performing in As You Like It at The Loft.

He toured with The Southern Theatre Group which began in 1959 with John B Keane's Sive before the Everyman Theatre Company arrived in 1963.

However, Twomey is best known for playing Miah opposite Frank Duggan's Cha in Hall's Pictorial Weekly.