O’Dwyer’s death marked the passing of a generation of sporting leadership rooted in personality rather than systems. His sudden death felt especially cruel because of how alive he seemed — engaged, curious, encouraging. Her passing felt like the extinguishing of a steady light rather than a blaze, but its absence is keenly felt. His passing felt like the removal of bedrock — an actor whose presence grounded films in something real. Her death felt like the loss of a quietly radical presence — someone who expanded what female longevity in cinema could look like.

Source: Irish Examiner December 27, 2025 11:30 UTC