Siobhán McKenna's Age And Landmark Moments In Her Career
Siobhán McKenna was 64 years old when she died on 16 November 1986, based on her commonly cited birth date of 24 May 1922 in Belfast. Some sources list 1923 as her birth year, which creates a one-year discrepancy, but the 1922 date appears in major biographical references and makes her age at death 64.
Age and basic details
The most widely cited biography says Siobhán McKenna was born on 24 May 1922 and died on 16 November 1986. That means she would have been 64 at the time of her death, after turning 64 earlier that year. A smaller number of references list 1923 instead, which is why you may sometimes see 63 attached to her age, but the 1922 date is the stronger match across standard references.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Siobhán McKenna |
| Birth date | 24 May 1922 |
| Birthplace | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Death date | 16 November 1986 |
| Age at death | 64 |
| Known for | Stage and screen acting, theatre directing, translation, and activism |
Career milestones
McKenna's career began in Irish-language theatre and quickly expanded into major stage work in Ireland and Britain. A University of Galway profile notes that she started at An Taibhdhearc in Galway, moved into Abbey Theatre productions in the 1940s, and made her London debut in 1947 in The White Steed. She later became internationally known for powerful performances in both classical and modern roles.
- She performed early work at An Taibhdhearc in Galway, a key Irish-language theatre.
- She appeared in Abbey Theatre productions during the 1940s.
- She made her London debut in 1947 in The White Steed.
- She became celebrated for stage interpretations of roles such as Saint Joan and Pegeen Mike.
- She also worked as a theatre director, translator, and activist.
Why she mattered
Irish theatre lost one of its defining voices when McKenna died in 1986. She was admired not just for acting skill but for how she brought depth and intensity to Irish and international dramatic literature. Her work helped connect the Irish-language stage tradition with larger English-language and international audiences.
"She was celebrated for her interpretations of Shaw's St. Joan and Synge's Pegeen Mike."
Landmark roles in her career showed range rather than repetition. McKenna's performances were often described as commanding, intelligent, and emotionally exact, which is one reason her reputation has lasted well beyond her lifetime. In later retrospectives, cultural institutions have continued to frame her as a major figure in 20th-century Irish performance history.
Timeline
Here is a concise timeline of key moments in her life and work.
- 24 May 1922: Born in Belfast.
- 1940s: Performed with An Taibhdhearc and the Abbey Theatre.
- 1947: Made her London debut in The White Steed.
- 1950s to 1960s: Built an international reputation on stage and screen.
- 16 November 1986: Died in Dublin at age 64.
Common question
Source context
Biographical records are not perfectly uniform on her birth year, but the 1922 date is supported by multiple standard references, including encyclopedia and biography entries. That is why the most reliable answer to "how old is Siobhán McKenna" is that she was 64 when she died.
What are the most common questions about Siobhan Mckennas Age And Landmark Moments In Her Career?
How old is Siobhán McKenna?
Siobhán McKenna was 64 years old when she died, using the widely cited birth date of 24 May 1922. If you are seeing 63 in some places, that usually comes from sources that list her birth year as 1923 instead.
What was she best known for?
Siobhán McKenna was best known as an Irish stage and screen actress, especially for major theatrical roles in Irish and classical drama. She also worked as a director, translator, and activist.
When did her career begin?
Her career began in Irish-language theatre before she moved into Abbey Theatre productions in the 1940s. Her London debut came in 1947.