In the late 1980s and 1990s he returned to the Dublin stage when he was invited by director Michael Colgan to join the Gate Theatre on a number of occasions including admired productions of "Uncle Vanya", "The Cherry Orchard" and "No Man's Land". It was there he created the role of Dr Rice in Brian Friel's drama, "Molly Sweeney" (1994), and again at London's Almeida Theatre. Other Friel productions he appeared in were "The Communication Cord" (Hampstead Theatre, 1984) and "Aristocrats" (2004) at the RNT in his final stage appearance.