Niall Tóibín facts for kids

Niall Tóibín (born 21 November 1929 – died 13 November 2019) was a famous Irish comedian and actor. He was born in Cork, Ireland. His family spoke Irish, and he grew up in the north part of Cork city.

Niall Tóibín appeared in many popular movies and TV shows. Some of these include Ryan's Daughter, Brideshead Revisited, Ballykissangel, and Far and Away. He was given a special award in 2011 by the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA). In 2015, he also received the Freedom of Cork, which is a great honor from his home city.

Niall Tóibín's Early Life

Niall Tóibín was born in 1929 in Cork, Ireland. He was the sixth of seven children. His parents, Siobhán and Seán Tóibín, were native Irish speakers. They got married in 1917.

Niall's father, Seán Tóibín, was a teacher in Cork city. He also wrote two books about flowers in the Irish language. Niall's mother, Siobhán, came from Beaufort, County Kerry.

Niall grew up speaking Irish. He used the language in his acting career, especially in the film Poitín. As a child, he sang in the cathedral choir and at the Opera House in Cork. When he was a teenager, he joined a drama group. He went to school at the North Monastery. After school, he moved to Dublin in 1947 to work for the government.

In 1957, Niall Tóibín married Frances Judith "Judy" Kenny in Dublin. They had five children and seven grandchildren. Judy passed away in 2002.

Niall Tóibín's Acting Career

Niall Tóibín started his career working as a clerk for the government. But he loved acting! He began acting in the 1950s. For 14 years, he worked with the Radio Éireann Players, performing on the radio.

His acting career on TV, in movies, and on stage lasted over 40 years. He appeared in many well-known productions:

• In the 1970s: Ryan's Daughter and Bracken.
• In the 1980s: The Ballroom of Romance, The Irish R.M., Brideshead Revisited, and Caught in a Free State.
• In the 1990s and 2000s: Far and Away, Ballykissangel, and Veronica Guerin.

He also acted on the radio, like in the BBC Radio 4 series Baldi.

In 2005, Niall Tóibín placed his handprints in cement outside the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. This is a special honor for actors. He said it was a very proud day for him. He felt honored because his performances at the Gaiety Theatre were some of the best parts of his career.

He played Dr. Paul O'Callaghan in the first two seasons of the Irish TV show The Clinic. He also acted alongside Cate Blanchett in the movie Veronica Guerin, where he played Judge Ballaugh.

Awards and Honors for Niall Tóibín

Tóibín's handprint in front of the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.

Niall Tóibín received several awards for his amazing work:

• In 1973, he won a Jacob's Award for his role in the RTÉ comedy series, If The Cap Fits.
• On 29 October 2002, he won Best Actor at the Christian Film and Television Excellence awards in Dublin.
• On 4 June 2010, he received an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from University College Cork (UCC). This is a special degree given to people who have achieved great things.
• On 3 November 2011, the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award made him an honorary lifetime member of IFTA.

Later Life and Passing

In May 2015, Niall Tóibín was given the Freedom of Cork. This award recognized all his wonderful work in film, television, and on stage.

Niall Tóibín passed away in Dublin on 13 November 2019. He was almost 90 years old. In his later years, he had been suffering from a form of dementia.

Niall Tóibín's Filmography