Doreen Keogh

Doreen Sheila Elsie Keogh (10 April 1924 – 31 December 2017) was an Irish actress of radio, stage, television and film, who was known for roles in numerous television serials and telefilms, but especially as Concepta Riley, the first barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn in the soap opera Coronation Street. Concepta, introduced as an original character in 1960, remained until 1964, with guest returns to the soap in 1967, 1972 and 1975. After moving to London, her first role was playing Christine Horan in The Man from Kilsheelan. Later roles After leaving the soap in 1964, Keogh toured with fellow Coronation Street actors Ivan Beavis, Frank Pemberton, Ruth Holden and Lynne Carol in a farce, Coronation Street On The Road, written by Coronation Street writers Vince Powell and John Finch. However, the tour was a failure.

She had numerous supporting roles in films, including in the 1996 film Some Mother's Son, playing a mother superior during the 1981 IRA hunger strike. In 1970, she also appeared alongside Julie Andrews and Rock Hudson in the musical Darling Lili''.

In 2007, she appeared in a spoof Irish election commercial on behalf of Alone, a charity for the elderly, as "Betty from the Grey Tigers party". She urged the electorate to vote so that "your granny would be proud of you". Neither marriage produced children. When she was not acting, Keogh renovated homes with her husband. She was a supporter of Liverpool Football Club and animal welfare charities. Keogh lived in Kent, then County Wicklow, and kept dogs, donkeys and ducks.

Keogh had Alzheimer's disease and died on 31 December 2017, aged 93, at St Columba's Hospital, in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Her funeral took place at St Colmcille's Church, Inistioge, County Kilkenny on 4 January 2018. She is buried in Cappagh Cemetery, Ireland.

Filmography

Television Year Title Role Notes 1948 Death at Newtownstewart Miss. FultonTelevision film 1950 Lady Precious Stream MaidTelevision film 1951 The Whiteheaded Boy Delia DuffyTelevision film 1953 Shadow and Substance Thomasina ConcannonTelevision film 1955 Sunday Night Theatre MargaretEpisode: "A Dream of Treason" 1956 Big City Market customerEpisode: "London - Nobby Clark and Showgirl" 1957 Boyd Q.C.Episode: "The Light Tackle Job" 1957 Young Chippie Mollie BlockTelevision film 1958 Long Distance Telephone operatorTelevision film 1959 The Men from Room 13 Miss. ManifoldEpisode: "The Man Who Stole Cameos: Part 2" 1960 Emergency Ward 10Episode: #1.309 1960 Spycatcher Mrs. WinchEpisode: "Neutral Ground" 1960 The Citadel Mrs. Boland2 episodes 1969 Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width NunEpisode: "And a Brother a Priest" 1969 Parkin's Patch Fanny ChappelEpisode: "A Pair of Good Shoes" 1971 Speaking of Murder MildredTelevision film 1972 Crossroads Mrs. Candour6 episodes 1974 New Scotland Yard Miriam LeveneEpisode: "The Trojan Horse" 1974 ...And Mother Makes Five Mrs. InskippEpisode: "The Matter of Tiny Feet" 1974 The Compliment Mrs. BrookTelevision film 1974 Z-Cars Miss HarperEpisode: "Old Bones" 1975 The Life of Riley Sister EsmeraldaEpisode: "Oh! Sister" 1960–1975 Coronation Street Concepta Hewitt/Concepta Riley/Concepta Regan320 episodes 1978 Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt NurseEpisode: "A Man for One Season" 1983 To the Lighthouse Mrs. TruscottTelevision film 1984 Minder Mrs. LynchEpisode: "Rocky Eight and a Half" 1984 Father's Day Card sellerEpisode: "Parents' Day" 1985 Inside Out Mary5 episodes 1985 Blue Money Mrs. GormleyTelevision film 1985 Black Silk AliceEpisode: "The Cause of Liberty" 1986 Hot Metal Mrs. Beatty2 episodes 1987 Never Say Die Mrs. SagooEpisode: #1.6 1990 The Real Charlotte Mrs. BeattyEpisode: #1.2 1989–1990 Fair City Mrs. O'Hanlon2 episodes 1990 The Lilac Bus Mrs. FitzgeraldTelevision film 1993 Rides ThereseEpisode: #2.5 1995 The Old Curiosity Shop Mrs. GeorgeTelevision film 1995 Moving Story Mary O'SheaEpisode: "The African Queen" 1996 Pie in the Sky Ms. KellyEpisode: "Irish Stew" 1998 Father Ted Mrs. Doyle's Friend / Mrs. Dineen2 episodes 1998 Her Own Rules Mrs. BanksTelevision film 1999 Always and Everyone Rita RavanEpisode: "Strike Me Down" 1997–1999 Ballykissangel Imeida Egan7 episodes 2000 David Copperfield Mrs. HeepTelevision film 2001 Perfect NancyTelevision film 1998–2003 Cold Feet Pete's Mum/Audrey Gifford4 episodes 2004 Pulling Moves Wardrodes Ma.Episode: "Claimitis" 2004 Holby City Edie VealeEpisode: "Striking a Chord" 2005 Cutting It Mildred Flaherty3 episodes 2005 The Clinic Mrs. ClarkeEpisode: #3.10 1998–2006 The Royle Family Mary O'Carroll9 episodes

Film