Liam Browne, a Derry native and arts curator, died peacefully at the Royal Sussex County Hospital on Saturday, February 21, aged 55.

Formerly of Asylum Road in Derry, he had been based in Sussex for several years. In his early twenties, he worked on the Impact 1992 festival in Derry. In England, he was employed at the South Bank Centre, served as director of the Brighton Festival, and co-curated the Folkstone book festival.

He co-founded DoranBrowne with Seán Doran. Their Arts Over Borders initiative contributed to projects including FrielFest: Brian Friel International Festival, the Seamus Heaney HomePlace project, the Yes Festival, and the Ulysses European Odyssey, a James Joyce-inspired event held in Derry in 2024.

Browne's debut novel, The Emigrant’s Farewell, was published by Bloomsbury in 2006. The book, set in Derry, links the story of a contemporary couple dealing with loss to that of 19th-century shipbuilder William Coppin and his ties to John Franklin's 1845 expedition to the North West Passage.

Jenni Doherty of Little Acorns described Browne as “a pleasure to know and work with (as a bookseller) and never forgot his roots and championed everything literary from local writers, books, connection and collaboration. A gentleman and good craic. He will be sorely and greatly missed in these circles and in friendship.”

The Seamus Heaney HomePlace expressed sadness at his death, stating he had been part of their team during the project’s inaugural year of 2016–2017.

Local novelist Brian McGilloway said: “I’m so saddened to hear of Liam’s passing. He was a hugely talented writer and a lovely, gentle man. His novel, The Emigrant’s Farewell, is a superb work. My deepest condolences to his family and all those who loved him.”

Browne is survived by his children Tomás and Gabriel, siblings Catherine, Mairead and Claire, and his wider family and friends. Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.