Polly Rodgers remembers Manchán Magan.
University College Dublin alumni, author and advocate for the Irish language, Manchán Magan tragically passed away on October 2nd, at the age of 55 as a result of his cancer diagnosis which he received in 2023.
Manchán was born and raised in Donnybrook. He fostered his further education in University College Dublin, studying Irish and History - topics which became the dedication of his career and life.
A writer and documentarian, his published works all bolster a love for the Irish language, nature and our culture. Through his work on television, Manchán focused on travelling around our emerald isle, cultivating the beauty of the land around us which we often overlook. In more recent years, Manchán used his platform on social media to advocate and raise funds towards the aid of Palestine through his cover of the song C.E.A.R.T.A., by Irish band Kneecap, whose first album Manchán featured on.
On the 13th of September this year, in an interview with RTÉ Radio One, Manchán spoke out about his terminal illness and shared his thoughts on the topic of death. “I mean, reincarnation is a story, it's a myth. I've no idea if it's true or not, but for me, it's a handy way to talk about it,” Manchán stated, in conversation with Brendan O’Connor. “In my heart, I believe this is a time of great change on the planet - and I want to be young and energetic and part of that. There's a lot of work to do.”
We will remember Manchán through his literature and work, which has made immense bounds toward our recovering cultural identity as a nation, whose native language should never be silenced.