Militant Left are saddened to hear of the death of Margaretta D’Arcy on 23 November at the age of 91.
Margaretta was an actor, writer, playwright, member of Aosdána and fearless activist who taught us among many things, that there is no retirement age for activism, and no upper age limit for activists.
Margaretta’s activism spanned decades notably as a member of Bertrand Russell’s anti-nuclear Committee of 100, her part in the Armagh Women’s prison ‘No Wash’ protest after her incarceration there for defacing a wall at the Ulster Museum and her participation in the Greenham Common’s Women’s Peace Group. She also ran a women’s pirate radio station from her home in Galway.
In 2014 at the age of 79 while receiving cancer treatment she was jailed for three months for protesting the use of Shannon Airport by the US military. When she was returned to Limerick Prison for another two weeks at the age of 80 she stated: “I feel very honoured to be going back to jail. I have no fear about it.”
At the age of 89 in 2024 Margaretta unsuccessfully contested the Local Elections for Galway City Council and participated in the Presidential election campaign for Catherine Connolly in 2025.
Born in London in 1934, Margaretta married playwright John Arden with whom she had five children, one of whom Jacob predeceased her.
Militant Left salutes Margaretta, and her long record of activism, and we offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends.