Shelah Richards

Her niece Geraldine Fitzgerald, her sister Edith Catherine Richards' daughter, was also one of Ireland pre-eminent actresses.[1][2][3][4] Richards' acting career started while attending the Dublin drama league and she was asked at short notice to replace Eileen Crowe in Juno and the Paycock, playing the role of Mary Boyle in the Abbey Theatre production.With Siobhan McKenna she produced The Playboy of the Western World in Edinburgh to huge success allowing her to stage it in London and Dublin and later in Toronto's Library Theater.The first Irish play produced during the opening week was directed by her and she was nominated for a Best Actress award in another production, Inquiry at Lisieux.Both Tolka Row and The Riordans were produced by her as well as Denis Johnston's The Moon on the Yellow River, Shaw's Arms and the Man and Synge's Riders to the Sea.[1][2][3] Richards retired from her RTÉ career in the early 1970s though she continued to raise funds for the Gate Theatre through the Edwards–MacLiammóir Playhouse Society.
St Stephen's GreenAlexandra CollegeBeatrice ElveryW. B. YeatsGeraldine FitzgeraldEileen CroweJuno and the PaycockAbbey TheatreThe Plough and the StarsO'CaseyMaire O'NeillDenis JohnstonMolly KeaneGladys CooperA. E. MatthewsUnited StatesJennifer JohnstonOlympia Theatre, DublinNigel HeseltineAbbey School of ActingLouis le BrocquySiobhan McKennaThe Playboy of the Western WorldMarcel MarceauRaidió Teilifís ÉireannHilton EdwardsTolka RowThe RiordansArms and the ManRiders to the SeaGate TheatreBallybrackGlasnevin