Ireland's first Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81

Brenda Fricker, the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award, has died at the age of 81. Her agency, The Lisa Richards Agency, confirmed her passing on February 16th, citing a "sudden illness." Fricker was widely celebrated for her role as Mrs. Brown in the 1989 film "My Left Foot," for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She famously beat out Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts and Anjelica Huston for the prestigious award, making history for Irish actresses.

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We will never see her like again, and what a loss to the world.

The film, based on the true story of Christy Brown, an Irish man with cerebral palsy who could only control his left foot, also saw Daniel Day-Lewis win an Oscar for his lead role. Fricker's portrayal of Mrs. Brown, the protagonist's mother, was a pivotal part of the film's success.

Beyond "My Left Foot," Fricker also appeared in the popular 1992 film "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," where she played a kind homeless woman who befriends Macaulay Culkin's character, Kevin. Her career spanned decades, leaving a significant mark on both Irish and international cinema.

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She was a national treasure.

Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris expressed his deep sorrow, calling Fricker a "national treasure." U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, lauded her on social media as a "giant of Irish cinema," noting that her work brought Irish stories to the world and inspired generations.

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Her work brought Ireland's stories to the world and inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic.