Brian Friel: Irish playwright's funeral takes place in County Donegal

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34434482

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The funeral of the Irish playwright Brian Friel has taken place.

The Northern Ireland-born writer died at his home in Greencastle, County Donegal, on Friday at the age of 86.

Mr Friel, a quiet man who shunned the limelight, was buried in Glenties, where his mother was born.

A crowd of more than 200 mourners were addressed by the author and poet Tom Paulin and the playwright Thomas Kilroy. Earlier, a private family service took place in Mr Friel's home.

Former Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader and Nobel peace prize winner John Hume and the actor Stephen Rea were among those in attendance at the graveside.

In 1980, Mr Friel co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company with Mr Rea.

Mr Friel was buried in a coffin woven from wicker.

Small bunches of the Montbretia wildflower, which is common on roadsides during summers in the west of Ireland, were placed around it as prayers were offered.

The County-Tyrone native has been acknowledged as one of the great playwrights of his generation.

His best known plays, Philadelphia Here I Come and Dancing at Lughnasa, have been performed in theatres across the world.

In 1998, Dancing at Lughnasa was made into a film.

Friel grew up in Londonderry, where he attended St Columb's College, but he moved to County Donegal in the 1960s.

The father of five is survived by his wife and four of their children.

Hollywood stars Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson were among those who paid tribute to Mr Friel following his death on Friday.