Who Was Deirdre Purcell? Popular Irish Novelist And Broadcaster Dead at 77

Irish Novelist and award winning journalist Deirdre Purcell passed away at her home, on February 13, 2023, after suffering a heart attack.

She was aged 77.

“To the day before her death Deirdre was as full of plans, schemes and dreams as she always was. Deirdre made friends wherever she went and will be remembered by so many as a vibrant, clever and caring companion”, Purcell’s family had said in a statement.

Purcell is survived by her husband, Kevin Healy and two sons.

Life of Deirdre Purcell

Born in 1945, in Dublin, Purcell attended Gortnor Abbey in County Mayo.

She doubled as an actress, appearing in Irish theatre dramas such as Drama at Inish, The Ginger Man, and The Playboy of the Western World.

As an author, Purcell wrote twelve Ireland bestselling novels, including “Pearl and The Winter Gathering”. She served as board member of the Central Bank of Ireland at some point.

As a media personality, Purcell served as host on All About the Music on RTÉ Lyric FM, and “It Says in the Papers” on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1.

Purcell was a winner of The Benson & Hedges and Cross awards for journalism.

Before her death, she lived in Beara Peninsula in West Cork with her husband, Kevin Healy and two sons.