Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker has died aged 81.

She was best known for her roles in My Left Foot and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.

The Dubliner won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in My Left Foot, and became the first Irish actress to do so.

In a statement, her agent Phil Belfield says: "It is with much sadness that I share the news that beloved actress Brenda Fricker passed away peacefully last night after a period of ill health, at the age of 81. 

"Dublin born and bred, Brenda Fricker undoubtedly deserves the noun legend. From early theatre work at the National Theatre & Royal Court in London, to the original cast of Casualty for the BBC, to her Academy Award winning performance in My Left Foot, plus the Bird Woman in Home Alone 2, Veronica Guerin with Cate Blanchett, and then in later roles in the TV adaptation of Graham Norton’s first novel Holdig, directed by Kathy Burke (for which Brenda was nominated for an Irish Academy Film & Television Award) and the channel 5 drama series The Catch with Jason Watkins, Brenda's versatility was renowned.

"Her most recent solo film performance in Tadhg O’Sullivan’s The Swallow shows the truth and majesty of Brenda as an actor and is a thing of beauty.

"Brenda's recently published memoir "She Died Young" appeared on the Irish Sunday Times bestseller list and she was recently granted the honour of the Freedom of the City of Dublin, which she was particularly thrilled and proud of.

"We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her.

"I was honoured to know, love and work with her and she will always have a place in my heart and in the heart of so many film and TV fans the world over."