Heartfelt tributes are pouring in for Mary Moriarty MBE after the beloved landlady died at the age of 83.
Edinburgh Live reports that Mary's daughter Eilidh Moriarty announced her death on social media on Monday afternoon, prompting an outpouring of grief from well-wishers. As landlady of the Port O'Leith pub on Constitution Street for 25 years, she was adored by locals who gave her the affectionate moniker of the Queen of Leith.
Eilidh wrote: "A light has gone out in Leith this morning. With a heavy heart, my mum such a character. The Queen of Leith has left us. Loved by many, Mary, you will be missed."
The Port O'Leith is renowned as one of the Edinburgh area's most colourful bars. Leith Theatre has previously described the watering hole as a place “where people from all walks of life came together to drink side by side as part of Leith’s vibrant community”.
Mary’s Leith connections were forming long before she moved to the port area in the 1980s. She bore witness to the areas great change in recent decades, and supported local activities like the Leith Festival and community radio station Leith FM.
In recognition of her contributions to the local area, portrait of her was commissioned by a local and hangs in the Leith Theatre. She said at the time of the portrait's unveiling in 2019: "I am honoured and delighted that a portrait of me will hang in Leith Theatre, how thrilling and exciting. Both the Theatre and myself have shared exciting times in Leith."
The theatre has also paid tribute. Staff wrote on Facebook: “So sad to hear our Queen of Leith, Mary Moriarty, has passed away today. Rest in peace Mary.”
Tam Dean Burn, a Scottish actor from Outlander and BBC Scotland’s River City, said online: “So gutted to just hear of the passing of the First Lady of Leith Mary Moriarty. An absolute legend that we’ll never see the likes of again.
"I wish we could have had one last dance, Mary. Thoughts are with all who love you. Rest in Peace, you beautiful soul.”
Other community members, family and friends were paying tributes as well. One woman said: “Sad to hear the passing of Mary Moriarty (Port of Leith). Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”
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