Funeral details confirmed for much loved Fair City star David Heap
Fair City star David Heap will be laid to rest later this week, it’s emerged.The 76-year-old, who was best known for playing Donal Maher in the RTE soap, passed away on Tuesday.His death was announced by his heartbroken wife Olwen Fouéré, who revealed he had passed away in a moving social media post and said he died in her arms.A RIP.ie death notice stated Mr Heap’s funeral service will take place in the Unitarian Church in St Stephen’s Green on Friday from 11am. He will then be buried on Omey Island in Galway on Saturday.It read: “Farewell to the beloved actor, activist and humanitarian, David Richard Heap, who died at home after a long illness on December 30th 2025.“Born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire on 21st May 1949, he moved to Ireland after playing the original Captain Lancey in the world premiere of “Translations” by Brian Friel in 1980.“His roles in many theatre and tv performances including Fair City made him a household name and his extensive work as a volunteer, most notably with Palestinian communities in the West Bank and with Care4Calais, are an inspiring legacy of his campaign for social justice.”Announcing his death, his wife wrote: “Farewell to my beloved David Richard Heap, who died in my arms at home today December 30th 2025.“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”Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
