Brian Friel author page

Brian Friel biography

Brian Friel was an Irish dramatist and short story writer. He is best known for his plays, many of which are studied in schools and performed internationally. Friel was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, and educated at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and St Mary’s Training College, Belfast. He worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time writer.

Friel’s first collection of short stories, The Saucer of Larks, was published in 1962. His debut play, A Doubtful Paradise, premiered in 1960. He gained widespread recognition with Philadelphia, Here I Come! in 1964, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. Other notable works include Lovers (1967), The Freedom of the City (1973), Faith Healer (1979), Translations (1980), and Dancing at Lughnasa (1990). Dancing at Lughnasa won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Play and the Tony Award for Best Play.

Friel co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company in 1980 with actor Stephen Rea. The company produced several of his plays and contributed to the cultural landscape of Ireland. Friel’s work has been translated into multiple languages and performed worldwide.

He received the Freedom of the City of Derry in 2007 and was elected a Saoi of Aosdána, the highest honour in Irish arts, in 2006. Friel’s final play, The Home Place, premiered in 2005 at the Gate Theatre, Dublin.