Large crowds attended the funeral of well-known press photographer Michael (Mick) McCormack in Ballaghaderreen yesterday (Wednesday).
Mr. McCormack, of Main Street, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, died on Sunday last at University Hospital, Castlebar, with his family by his side. His untimely passing – following a short illness – led to an outpouring of tributes as people of all walks of life expressed their sorrow at the loss of one of the county’s best-known personalities.
A proud Ballaghaderreen man and a renowned Roscommon GAA supporter, the late Mick McCormack was widely known through his work as a freelance photographer over many years.
Numerous GAA clubs locally led tributes following the shock passing of Mick, who was aged just 59. Roscommon GAA County Board also paid tribute, as have many other community organisations.
Mick’s work appeared in numerous publications over the years, including the national press, his phenomenal output documenting the social and sporting trajectory of a county and its people. In particular, his photographs appeared over many years in the Roscommon People and the Roscommon Herald.
Roscommon People Managing Editor, Paul Healy, spoke of the shock and grief at the loss of a much-loved colleague.
Mr. Healy said: “On behalf of everyone at the Roscommon People newspaper (past and present) we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mick McCormack following his sad passing on Sunday.
“We are all devastated at the sudden loss of our work colleague and friend. It is surely fair to say that Mick was one of the most recognisable faces in County Roscommon (and across GAA venues nationwide too). In his work as a photographer, Mick was a familiar presence at GAA games most weekends over the past 30-odd years. His enthusiasm on these occasions was without equal, Mick’s natural warmth, friendliness and generosity of spirit meaning he went ‘the extra mile’ in his engagement with players, mentors and supporters.
“The people of Ballaghaderreen and the people of County Roscommon have lost a unique personality. Mick was kind-hearted, generous, fun-loving and a raconteur without equal. We will miss him terribly and remember him with a smile”.
Management and staff of the Roscommon Herald have also paid warm tributes this week to their former colleague and friend.
Mick is mourned by his mother Phyllis (Phyll), brother John, sister Maria Walsh (Renmore, Galway), nephew Rory, nieces Laura, Aoife, Michelle, Ciara, Niamh and Dearbhla, grandnephews and nieces Jack, Eva, Alison, Kate, Conor, Caden, Luke, Léana, Thea, Elliot and Evan, brother-in-law Gabriel, sister-in-law Patricia, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.
The late Mick McCormack reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Tuesday. Removal took place on Wednesday to St. Nathy’s Cathedral, Ballaghaderreen. Mass of the Resurrection was followed by interment in Kilcolman Cemetery.
