The actress Eileen Colgan, best known for her portrayal of the role of Esther Roche in the RTÉ drama Fair City , has died.

Ms Colgan also featured in Ballykissangel , Angela's Ashes , Strumpet City , and My Left Foot .

She enjoyed a 17-year career at the Abbey Theatre from 1971 to 1988 and appeared regularly in shows that included The Winter's Tale , Measure for Measure , The Hostage , Ulysses in Nighttown , Richard's Cork Leg and Talbot's Box .

Abbey Theatre director Fiach MacConghail last night said Ms Colgan had “a long and successful career”. He added: “She was a wonderful actress who had a particular gift for mischief, which she played brilliantly.”

RTÉ head of drama Jane Gogan said Ms Colgan was “a great professional who will be sadly missed by those of us who were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to know her and work with her”.

"As an actress in many of RTÉ's dramas over the years, she brought a great range to her performance. She could be funny, poignant, and tragic in the wide variety of roles she played. In the highly demanding world of Fair City Eileen was an inspiration to those she worked with."

Irish actor Tom Jordan who knew Ms Colgan for 50 years and worked with her on Fair City said she was "a very brilliant and professional actress, and an extremely thoughtful and kind person who will be greatly missed".

Lisa Richards, who was Ms Colgan’s agents for more than 20 years, said she was “a joy to work with”.