- Opinion
- 25 Nov 25
Tributes pour in after the death of artist and activist Margaretta D’Arcy
President Catherine Connolly, who visited D'Arcy only two weeks before her death, was among the first to pay tribute.
Tributes have poured in following the death of artist and activist Margaretta D'Arcy on November 23 at the age of 91.
D'Arcy was born in London in June 1934 to a Ukrainian-Jewish mother and an Irish-Catholic father. Her father, Joseph D'Arcy, was a civil servant and IRA member during the War of Independence.
D'Arcy attended school in London and Dublin. She worked in small Dublin theatres from the age of fifteen before going on to study drama at Trinity College and eventually becoming an actress.
Along with her acting career, D'Arcy spent time as a filmmaker, playwright, artist and writer. She and her late partner, English playwright John Arden (who died in Galway aged 81 in 2012), collaborated to establish the Galway Theatre Workshop in 1976. The couple also co-created several theatre pieces.
D'Arcy authored several books including Tell Them Everything, an autobiographical account of her time as a political prisoner in Armagh Gaol in the 1970s.
A longtime peace activist, D'Arcy served several prison sentences over her anti-war protests. Most recently, she was arrested in relation to trespassing at Shannon Airport in protest of U.S. military presence in Ireland.
D'Arcy was admitted to a hospital in Galway earlier this month, where she was visited by President Catherine Connolly only two weeks before her death.
President Connolly issued a statement paying tribute to D'Arcy on Monday in which she "fondly recalled" their last meeting.
"Margaretta was a woman of extraordinary conviction, an actor, playwright, filmmaker and writer who brought a radical honesty to her work," President Connolly said.
"Her lifelong dedication to peace and anti-war activism was equally profound. Margaretta was a tireless advocate for global justice and a steadfast supporter of the people of Palestine, participating regularly in demonstrations and community actions grounded in her unwavering belief in human rights."
President Connolly recounted D'Arcy's support for her presidential campaign, describing "her generosity and the encouragement that she extended with characteristic warmth and determination."
"Margaretta’s sad passing marks the loss of a singular voice in Irish cultural and civic life," said President Connolly, adding, "She will be deeply missed by all those who were fortunate to have known her."
D'Arcy was a longtime member of Aosdána since its inauguration in 1981 by the Arts Council. Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, expressed the "deep sadness" she felt upon learning of D'Arcy's death in a statement on Monday night.
"Margaretta D'Arcy's creative work is characterised by her dedication to her craft and diversity of form," McGrath said.
"Bold and uncompromising, D'Arcy possessed a relentless energy and curiosity. She leaves behind a rich artistic legacy which includes memoirs, essays, plays and film."
The Galway Alliance Against War paid tribute to D'Arcy in a post on Instagram, recounting how she "demonstrated a breathtaking consistency and courage in her pursuit of peace" over more than fifty years of activism.
"Margaretta’s profound, active commitment to peace and social justice was the work of a lifetime," the Galway Alliance Against War said.
"She knew that imperialist war and threats to Irish neutrality must be opposed irrespective of age or status. As an artist, she believed in using creativity to cut through the political spin that justifies war—a duty she fulfilled with immense energy.
"We in the Galway Alliance Against War feel privileged to have had Margaretta in our ranks for so many years. She stands as an outstanding example of a life fully and purposefully lived, dedicated to a future free from wars of profit and power. Rest in Power Margaretta."
View this post on Instagram
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) took to X to pay respects to "a strong advocate for Palestinians."
"We send our deepest sympathies to Margaretta's family and friends," said IPSC, adding, "She will be very missed."
IPSC added D'Arcy and Arden were among the earliest signatories of their Irish Artists' Pledge to Boycott Israel, alongside the likes of Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey.
Rest in Power Margaretta D'Arcy, fierce, fearless artist and anti-war activist. She was a strong advocate for Palestinians, an early signatory to our Irish Artists' Pledge to Boycott Israel and a tireless campaigner against the US military use of Shannon Airport pic.twitter.com/rXfeEvBnUk
— IPSC (@ipsc48) November 23, 2025
D'Arcy is survived by her four sons.
