Biography

Shelah Richards was born on May 23, 1903 in Dublin, Ireland as Shelah Kathleen Richards. She was an actress and director, known for Return to Glennascaul (1953), Larry (1959) and Guests of the Nation (1935). In 1962 she started work for the newly formed Irish Television Service (RTE) as a drama director. In subsequent years she directed many plays as well as episodes of the long-running series Tolka Row and The Riordans. She was also a theatre director and actress. She was married to Denis Johnston. She died on January 19, 1985 in Dublin.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rory Johnston

Mother of Jennifer Johnston

She was the aunt of stage and film star Geraldine Fitzgerald, who followed her footsteps at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, where both first met Orson Welles. She made one of her only screen appearances in Welles' "Return to Glennascaul," aka "Orson Welles' Ghost Story". Richards at one time was reigning star of the Abbey Theatre Dublin where she introduced many of Sean O'Casey's most famous plays. The family tradition continues today with Fitzgerald's great-niece Tara Fitzgerald ("Sirens").

Father: John William Richards; Mother: Adelaide Prudentia Roper.