The actress and mum-of-one passed away just five days shy of her 44th birthday
Slaine Kelly
Tributes have been paid to Irish actress, writer and producer Slaine Kelly, who has tragically passed away at just 43 years of age.
The Dublin-born actress, writer and producer died peacefully at home last Saturday while surrounded by her devoted family, following a battle with cancer.
Slaine gained recognition for portraying Jane Howard in the popular period drama The Tudors, and featured in a number of other productions including Raw, Comedown, Rise of the Footsoldier Part II, and S. P. L. I. T.
Slaine will be recognised by a number of Irish television viewers for her role in a Barry’s Tea commercial, where she starred alongside Love/Hate star, Charlie Murphy.
The actress was also a filmmaker herself and was behind the successful Irish comedy film The O’Briens.
Slaine was famous for playing the lead in an iconic Barry’s Tea commercial, filmed in Ireland and Thailand, directed by BAFTA-winning director Declan Lowney
She leaves behind her young son, Knox, who is only 11 years old, reports RSVP Live.
Slaine’s friend, George Gently and Shameless star Paddy C Courtney shared a heartfelt tribute remembering her on social media.
“This is just s***. Slaine Kelly will forever be remembered as an amazing woman, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece and friend to so many humans and animals alike,” he said. d
“Her life was stolen by cancer, but her spirit of giddy curiosity and divilment will live on in all those who knew her,” Courtney penned. “I was lucky enough to circle her orbit in many roles as pal, co-star and confidant. Thank you for the laughs.”
Film Network Ireland similarly posted a touching tribute describing her as a ‘gifted’ and ‘dedicated’ actress who created a ‘lasting impact’ on Irish film and television.
Model and singer Michelle McGrath shared a series of images and wrote: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beautiful friend, Slaine.
“Magic, magnetic, and truly one of the most beautiful souls you could ever meet. Wherever she went, people were drawn to her, and everyone wanted to speak to her. She had this incredible aura and way of making every person feel seen, special, and at ease in her company.
“Warm, charismatic and endlessly fun. She was kind, loving, caring, and a ray of light to all that crossed her path.
Slaine played Jane Howard in The Tudors, who was an ex-lover of King Henry VIII and a cousin to his fifth wife, Catherine Howard
“You are so deeply loved and so, so special, Slaine. Thank you for all the love, friendship, laughter, tears, and guidance you gave me throughout this life. Rest in peace, my dear friend, you’re forever in my heart.”
While said: “Today we said goodbye to the beautiful bright light that was Slaine Kelly.
“Our sons were born three months apart and to be honest I am heartbroken that life could have been so cruel to her and to her son, her mother and all her family that are now left behind.
“I last spoke in person to Slaine about three months ago and she spoke about the documentary 1 in 2 that she starred in and was filmed in 2025.
“One in two of us will develop cancer during our life time. But what is even more stark is that bowel or colorectal cancer is rising at an deeply worrying rate – the rate has almost doubled in 25 years and by 2030 it is expected to THE leading cause of cancer related death in younger adults (aged under 50) (source: 2025 IMJ)”
“Some medical researchers are calling it an epidemic…
“For Slaine and so many others, the diagnostic is not straightforward. And this is particularly the case for women who end up first being screened for gynae and other issues.
“I understand the documentary produced by Guerilla films is due out in November this year. It tells the story of patients with bowel cancer.
“Even when things were bleak for Slaine she had the strength to leave a lasting legacy.
“Rest in peace Slaine”
Beyond her acting career, Slaine co-founded St Anne’s City Farm in Dublin, a non-profit community farm operated by volunteers.
Her death notice on RIP.ie states: “Slaine Kelly, Allen Terrace, Dublin. Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family.
“Beloved daughter of Marion and Joe Kelly. Cherished mother of Knox, much-loved sister of Darragh and sister-in-law of Mags and adored aunt of Eliza. Slaine will be deeply missed by her parents, son, brother, sister-in-law, niece, her many cousins, extended family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.
“An actress, film producer, Slaine will be fondly remembered for her work, her spirit, and for helping to found St Anne’s City Farm.”
Slaine’s funeral mass was held on Tuesday, July 7, in St. Michan’s Church, Halston Street, followed by cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium at 1pm. Her family have asked that donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to the My Lovely Horse animal rescue.
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