Mayo Minister pays tribute to the late Manchán Magan

It was today announced that the Irish author, broadcaster, and documentary maker, Manchán Magan has passed away at the age of 55. 

The ‘Manchán ar Seachrán’ author was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2023. 

While tributes pour in across social media, Mayo TD Dara Calleary expressed his sympathy to the family and friends of Manchán Magan.

“I am very saddened to hear of Manchán’s death this morning at such a young age. Manchán was a gifted broadcaster, writer, and passionate advocate of the Irish language.” He said.

“I want to join with others in offering my deepest condolences to his wife Aisling, his family, his friends, and his former colleagues in TG4, RTE, and the wider arts and culture community across Ireland, 

“May he rest in Peace.” He added.

Just last year, Manchán visited Achill, Mayo, as part of ‘ag Triall ar an Tobar’ on TG4, a six-part documentary series that dives into the myths and legends associated with Ireland’s holy wells.

President Michael D Higgins was among many others to pay tribute: "It is with the deepest sense of sadness that I, like so many others, have learned of the death of the incomparable writer, broadcaster and documentary maker Manchán Magan.

"Manchán was a truly singular person. It is hard to imagine how anyone else could have made such a broad and engaging contribution in bringing the beauty, depth and vitality of the Irish language to so many people, in Ireland and beyond.

"Manchán truly lived an inspirational life and helped so many people to find a deeper meaning in their lives. Through his work, Machán inspired so many people, across every generation, to engage more deeply with our native language, its cultural richness, and through it to engage with, respect and learn from our natural landscape and environment. 

"May I express my deepest condolences to Manchán’s wife Aisling, who has herself made such a valuable contribution to so many communities, to his mother Cróine, to his brother Ruán and his other siblings, to his extended family and to all his many friends, admirers and collaborators in so many parts of the world.”

Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor, TG4, too expressed a touching tribute to Manchán: “Manchán was a visionary storyteller whose creativity, courage, and curiosity brought TG4 audiences on unforgettable journeys into Gaeilge, culture, and heritage. He had a rare gift for making us see the world and our own traditions in a new light. His legacy will endure in the powerful programmes he made, and he will be greatly missed."

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