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blue plaque · Northern Ireland

Joseph Tomelty

Photograph at the Joseph Tomelty blue plaque
Photograph via Open Plaques.

A blue plaque at 22 Shore Road commemorates Joseph Tomelty, recognising his contributions as an author, actor, and playwright. The plaque serves as a public acknowledgement of his legacy and connection to this specific address, marking a place where a significant cultural figure resided. Such memorials typically aim to educate passers-by about the notable individuals who have shaped local and national artistic landscapes, ensuring their work and life are remembered by future generations. Tomelty's varied career in the arts firmly establishes his importance in the cultural narrative of Northern Ireland.

Blue plaques like this one are part of a broader tradition of marking buildings associated with historically significant figures. This practice, originating in the mid-19th century, seeks to create tangible links between notable individuals and the physical spaces they inhabited, allowing the public to connect with history in a very direct way. The commemoration of authors, actors, and playwrights reflects a societal appreciation for their artistic contributions and their role in shaping cultural identity. Joseph Tomelty's recognition through this plaque aligns with this tradition, highlighting his impact within the literary and performing arts in Northern Ireland.

The blue plaque for Joseph Tomelty is located at 22 Shore Road. Visitors can easily find this commemorative marker on the exterior of the building. The Shore Road is a public thoroughfare, making the plaque accessible for those wishing to view it. As this is a residential area, visitors are encouraged to be mindful of local residents and to observe the plaque respectfully from the public pavement. The setting offers an opportunity to reflect on the life and work of Joseph Tomelty in the place he once called home.

Inscription

“JOSEPH TOMELTY 1911-1995 author, actor, playwright lived here”
Transcribed from the blue plaque at 22 Shore Road.

Background

Frances Tomelty is a distinguished actress from Northern Ireland, recognised for a diverse range of television work. Her notable appearances span several decades, featuring in programmes such as Strangers, Testament of Youth, Inspector Morse, Cracker, and in more recent years, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, The White Queen, and Unforgotten.

Beyond her extensive screen career, Frances Tomelty also made a significant impact on the stage. She originated the role of Kate in the celebrated Dublin production of Dancing at Lughnasa. Her marriage to musician Sting took place from 1976 to 1984.

Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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