Brian Friel (9 January 1929 - 2 October 2015) wrote thirty plays across six decades and is widely regarded as one of Ireland's greatest dramatists. He was a member of Aosdána, the society of Irish artists, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Irish Academy of Letters, and the Royal Society of Literature where he was made a Companion of Literature. He was awarded the Ulysses Medal by University College, Dublin. His plays include Dancing at Lughnasa (winner of three Tony Awards including Best Play, New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, Olivier Award for Best Play), Translations, Faith Healer, and Philadelphia Here I Come!