"Born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire on 21st May 1949, he moved to Ireland after playing the original Captain Lancet in the world premier of 'Translations' by Brien Friel in 1980, the first ever production from Field Day theatre company created by Stephen Rea and Brian Friel. He was a special man and a beautiful soul. Go well, my love xxx"
"He follows every conversation. Communication back is very difficult. It's not that he can't speak. It's like the words won't come. So usually, he'll repeat what you say. Like, before I left this morning, I said, 'Are you feeling good?' And then he might say, 'Feeling good'", she said."
David Richard Heap, born 21 May 1949 in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, trained at Bristol Old Vic and moved to Ireland after an early role in Translations. He built a long theatre career, met wife Olwen Fouéré during a production of The Morning After Optimism, and was known for the role of Donal Maher in Fair City. He was diagnosed with the rare neurodegenerative condition corticobasal syndrome in 2024 and required intensive caregiving. He died at home on 30 December 2025. His wife described his retained cognitive awareness despite severe speech and communication difficulties and paid a public tribute.
Read at Irish Independent
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