David’s loved ones spoke at the moving service in Dublin
13:32, 02 Jan 2026Updated 15:13, 02 Jan 2026
The coffin of actor, David Heap, is removed from the Unitarian Church(Image: COLLINS PHOTO AGENCY)
Actor David Heap has been remembered as a “kind, caring and compassionate” man who was always willing to help others and stand by his principles.
David was a gifted actor and humanitarian, his funeral in St Stephen’s Green Unitarian Church heard.
David was well known to many for playing Donal Maher on RTÉ’s Fair City for many years. He was also an accomplished theatre actor, having played Captain Lancet in the world premier of Brian Friel’s Translations.
He was diagnosed with a rare health condition called corticobasal syndrome in 2024.
RSVP reports how friends and family of David gathered to pay tribute to the actor as he was laid to rest today.
David Heap
The minister, Gavin Byrne, explained how the Unitarian Church was “David’s church” and it was David who encouraged him to go into ministry. “When I first came to this church, searching for my spiritual home in this city, David was at the door and he was the official welcomer that particular Sunday.
“He spotted me, and with gentleness and warmth, he welcomed me. That was nearly 10 years ago. Today, I have just completed my ministry studies with the Unitarian College… thank you David. You had no insignificant affect on me and many others here.”
David’s loved ones also spoke at the service, where they remembered David for being a kind, warm and compassionate man.
Will O’Connell, David’s friend and fellow actor, said David’s wife Olwen Fouéré asked him to thank David’s caregivers, medical staff, neighbours, friends and family for supporting her and David during his illness.
“How do I talk about a wonderful actor, a great friend, a member of this church community? This church was really important to David, and David was really important to this church.”
(Image: RTE)
Will said that among the hundreds of messages of condolences, the one constant that stood out was people paying tribute to David’s kindness. “He was always somebody who would introduce someone to someone else who might help them.
“Kind, caring, compassionate,” was how Will described his friend, adding that he was an extremely talented actor who had many moving performances.
The congregation also heard about how David was a true humanitarian, often travelling to Calais in France and to the West Bank to help refugees by working as a volunteer. “He had so much empathy, compassion, and a sense of social justice,” Will said.
“He was a humble, dedicated, learned, beautiful man. I am all the better for having met him and worked with him. I will never, ever, ever forget him… I will miss the memories I had with David.”
David’s wife Olwen Fouéré revealed the sad news of David’s passing in a touching Instagram post just before the new year. “Farewell to my beloved David Richard Heap, who died in my arms at home today December 30th 2025,” she wrote.
“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.”
David will be buried in Omey Island in Galway, where his two children who died in infancy are also buried.
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