Seamus McGee recalled as a family man first and foremost at Funeral Mass

Parish Priest Brian Ó Fearraigh told all those who gathered for the Funeral Mass of Seamus McGee that he was a gentle, kind, honest and hardworking man who always put his family first. 

The 72-year-old singer passed away last week and his Funeral Mass was held at St Mary’s Church, in Derrybeg, on Sunday. 

The Mass was celebrated by the Parish Priest Father Brian Ó Fearraigh and concelebrated by both Father Brendan Ward and Father Seán Ó Gallchóir.

Speaking during the Mass, Father Ó Fearraigh said they had all gathered under the cross, not only with the heavy blanket of sorrow of death wrapped around them but also with the beautiful healing garment of togetherness: “The healing garment of love, of light, of faith and of music, gently resting on each and everyone of us, to gladden and to comfort the heavy and the weary hearts.” 

Music was provided by the talented singer Jacqui Sharkey who was a close friend to the late musician and singer. Stephen Campbell accompanied Ms Sharkey on fiddle. Pat Gallagher sang during communion time. A piece which was composed by Ray McLaughlin was played during the Mass. Jim Mally and John Staunton played music during the Mass.  

Father Ó Fearraigh said that Séamus had been a talented musician who shared his experience and knowledge with all those who came to him. 

He said they had gathered at the Funeral Mass to pray for the precious repose of Seamus’ soul: “We have gathered here this afternoon for the Funeral Mass of Seamus McGee. We gather to celebrate the rhythm and the rhyme of Seamus McGee’s life and legacy in this world. We know that today is a very sad day for his family, and his family circle and friends and his community,” he said. 

He said that many were saddened to learn of the passing of Seamus and he urged people to remember not to lose sight of the sure and certain hope that death is not the end: “But rather that the song continues and that Seamus will never ever be forgotten and that his music and his work will live on. Our memories of Seamus and our love for him will never fade.”

Father Ó Fearraigh said that there exists over 150 psalms in the Bible - that which symbolises the importance of song and music in worship. He said music in turn reflects the beauty of God. He spoke of how the psalm reflects people and is sensitive to emotion and condition. 

“Seamus McGee sound - fear an cheoil go fíor é. Seamus McGee was a good man who through his life of 72 years lived and worked and loved and laughed and influenced and encouraged and entertained in so many different ways so many different people through his God-given musical talents and skills,” he said.

He described Seamus as being first and foremost a family man adding that nothing would make Séamus happier than spending time at home or on holidays with his family.

“He adored Sarah, his rock, and Ciara and Cian, all of whom made him a very proud man,” he said.

He said that despite his love for music and stage, he enjoyed being alongside his family: “Regardless of his love for music and the stage, family was always number one. Sarah, Ciara and Cian and his sister Breid and his family - the large circle of family and friends - you were and you continue to be his rock, his stronghold and his foundation - you were his most perfect song, his greatest love, grá a chroi.

“Seamus was a man who had that natural aptitude and ability as a musician, that ability to connect with people, through word and song. Le focal agus le fonn. He was a man who was steeped in the aesthetic things of this world; words and poetry and music and composition. Seamus McGee the musician and the songwriter, bhí guth breá ceoil aige and through the masterful musical melody of his life, he created music for us and he sang his beautiful music for us as well and for that we are grateful,” he said. 

Seamus was known far and wide for his voice and was an accomplished music and video producer. 

“And, no matter what he did, he was the ultimate professional. I have heard it said that Seamus was an inspiration to many other artists and indeed had it not been for his persistence and his encouragement and his support perhaps we wouldn’t have heard their music on the airways at all. And I know that many who worked with Seamus became his friends and remained so til the end. He was an invaluable friend, always there, always ready to help in any way that he could with honesty.”

He said that Seamus was direct and that many people appreciated his approach. 

Father Ó Fearraigh said that when Seamus took to the stage to entertain, that you not only heard the music that he sang but that you could almost see the music flow from him. 

“He thought music, he loved music, he lived the beauty of music. Through those countless hours spent in his recording studio in his home, he ploughed and he searched until he found the right words thus through his memory and his music expressing not only the greatest joy but also the greatest sorrow that music can bring us too.That was his innate gift and talent as a singer/songwriter,” he said. 

He said that Seamus was now in heaven singing with heavenly choirs.

Father Ó Fearraigh finished with the words of a song composed by Seamus, Come Home Danny boy but in using artistic licence for one day, he read. 

“Come home Seamus boy to where you belong, 

back to heaven, back to your home,

To the life where you belong,

“Seamus McGee is returning to God, so today we celebrate his life, a life well lived, saol maith a chaith sé ar an talamh anseo agus an tionchar a bhí aige ar go leor daoine, ar go leor bealaí agus an cuidiú a thug sé go fíal agus go flaithiúil i dtolamh. We celebrate his life and we celebrate his death which he went to with faith and with trust,” he said. 

He spoke of Seamus as a man of faith and said he returns to God and said: “Go gcastar ar a chéile arís muid.”

Father Ó Fearraigh thanked all those who travelled to be present at the Funeral Mass and said Séamus would be sadly missed by his wife Sarah, daughter Ciara, son Cian, his sister Breid and extended family and friends.