Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Manchán Magan

Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Manchán Magan

Date: Fri 3rd Oct, 2025 | 14:47

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.

While rightly proud of his family's contribution to Irish culture and history, including his great-granduncle The O'Rahilly and his grandmother Sheila Humphreys, Manchán's vision and understanding were not limited to Ireland or the Irish language, but to what we share and are connected to with all forms of life that live within native and indigenous cultures, languages and communities across the globe. I have no doubt that his influence will continue to live with all those whom he met in all corners of the globe.

I had the privilege of first meeting Manchán 30 years ago and of engaging with him and his brother Ruán on many occasions over the years.

Last autumn and winter I had the honour of welcoming Manchán to Áras an Uachtaráin on two occasions - when he read a wonderful poem which he composed for our event in the Áras to mark Culture Night, and again later in the year for a podcast which we recorded about the Irish language and culture for The Trailblazery.

As ever, his endless sense of interest, joy and wonder was a pleasure to be around and his interest and support for my Presidency was something I sincerely valued. I will fondly remember all of our collaborations and all of our deeply enjoyable conversations on so many topics.

I recently wrote to Manchán and took the opportunity, as President of Ireland, to acknowledge the immeasurable contribution which he has made to the Irish language and culture, opening up our collective heritage to more people than could ever have been imagined.

It is a contribution for which all of us who love the language will forever be in his debt.

He will be deeply missed.

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."