Dr Seán Ó’ Nualláin

Sending our deepest condolences and sympathy to dear Melanie on the passing of her beloved Sean. We were very sad to hear of his untimely death. Condolences also to Sean’s family in Ireland and abroad. With much love, Mary & Eiji

Airimid uainn tú a Sheáin ar d'imeacht gan choinne, do chomhluadar spleodrach, do chómhrá spéisiúil agus do gháire croíúil Cláiríneach. Comhbhrón ónar gcroíthe briste do Melanie agus dod chlann, do mhuintir Chill Chaoi, dod mhic léinn ar fud na cruinne agus dod cháirde uilig. Leaba i measc na naoimh go raibh agat a chara uasal.

Deepest sympathy to Melanie and to all of Seán's family and friends on his sad and sudden passing. Leaba i measc na Naomh go raibh aige.

I am so deeply saddened to hear of Sean’s sudden passing. My heart goes out to Melanie and all of his family. I had the pleasure of meeting Sean at our concert in Wexford, where I quickly realized what a gifted songwriter and musician he was. With his honesty and simplicity, he had a unique way of touching the beauty in music. I learned so much from you that day, Sean. Rest in peace.

It is with deep sorrow that I hear the sad news about Sean. Sean was an amazing human being, telling things the way they were with a great heart for peace, freedom, and justice on earth. I admired his brilliant mind having worked closely with him and Melanie at I -House UC Berkeley on music events and on his astute intellectual presentations and conferences demonstrating incisive thinking teaching all to think creatively as he taught me how to think more creatively because Sean grasped both the large and minute pictures. The depth of his knowledge was phenomenal. He was also generous of spirit and shared his beautiful fisher home in Ouistreham in Normandie. Sean, I still see you in my mind biking around in Berkeley. I will miss you, friend Sean. Rest in peace. Wishing the family comfort and peace during this difficult time. Liliane Deputy Hon. Consul of Madagascar and emeritus Director of Programs and External Relations, UC Berkeley I-House.

Very sorry to hear this news. I have many happy memories of sharing a stage with Sean and Melanie during their time in the Bay Area during my dancing days. Gone too soon. Thinking of you, Melanie! 💚🙏🏻💚

I am saddened to learn of Sean’s early passing. I know how important he has been to Melanie. I struggle to accept that he is gone from our daily lives, but smile to think of his continuing presence.

I was honored to have a small role in facilitating his journeys to America. We will miss him!

All my deepest condolences to Seán's family. I may have met him just a few times in Ouistreham, but he was a good man.

May he rest in peace.

It is with deep sadness that I heard of the sudden passing of Sean! When I met Sean I could see he was a man of integrity with passion patience and intelligence but most of all I could see his heart felt want and inspiration for a better world! He truly was a gentleman and he will be missed ! My condolences to Melanie and his family! May he rest in peace and eternal love! 🙏

We are very sorry to hear of Seans passing. Fond memories of the 70's.
Our deepest sympathy to the Nolan family. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to Melanie and all who mourn Dr Sean or Johnny as I knew him growing up in Kilkee Rest in peace Sean!

Sincere sympathy to Melanie and Sean’s family on your huge loss. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dr Sean on podcasts in recent years. He was so aware of everything happening in the world and it was obvious that he loved Ireland very much. We’re so sorry that he was taken far too soon.
Thinking of you all at this sad time. Rest in peace Sean 🌟

My deepest sympathy to Melanie and Sean's family.

I first met Sean (John Nolan) back in 1985, while teaching at Carlow RTC.

I was impressed by his intellectual honesty, and his determination to follow his moral compass (irrespective of whether it had negative consequences for him personally).

I met him several times in Dublin, where I worked for a while in industry (he was based at DCU and was completing a PhD at Trinity, and I later did a PhD at Trinity).

I returned to Cork for a while from the mid-1990s, and our paths did.not cross very much from then. I met him briefly at the Jazz festival in the late 1990s and at a concert at Allianz Francais in Dublin in 2003 (at that time he was going through a difficult and stressful situation with DCU).

I had hoped to get to another Melanie O Reilly concert to make contact again.

My deepest condolences to Melanie and his family.

Gerard
oreganger@gmail.com

We were so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of Seán. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his devoted partner, the wonderful Melanie, during this hardest of times. Tá ár gcroí leat. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Our deepest condolences to Melanie and all the extended family on the sad passing of Sean. Our thoughts are with you all.
Paula and all at County Wexford Chamber

I only met Sean last summer through friends I was visiting, at The Fleadh. I was shocked to hear of his passing. Wishing him godspeed and sending love to those he leaves.

My deepest sympathies, Melanie. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.

A Tribute to Dr. Seán Ó Nualláin

Dr. Seán Ó Nualláin was a scholar who refused confinement. A psychologist, computer scientist, and neuroscientist, he crossed disciplines deliberately, instinctively, easily. His guiding insight: “Consciousness is the primary datum; everything else is inference.”

For Seán, this was a stance toward reality, beginning with lived experience. A central thread was his work with Walter Freeman, whose view of the brain as a meaning-enacting system was a touchstone. Seán extended this, synthesizing quantum field theory and quantum mechanics into an account of observation. He believed the brain’s efficiency hinted at new physics.

Through his Foundations of Mind conference, he created a gathering for neuroscientists, physicists, philosophers, and contemplatives. It reflected his belief that inquiry thrives where boundaries dissolve.

He was a thinker who spoke plainly, questioned freely, and refused to soften his convictions - an academic rebel.

Dr. Ó Nualláin leaves a lasting question: if consciousness is primary, how do we build a science that honors experience’s mystery? His answer lay in intellectual courage, disciplined inquiry, and crossing fixed boundaries.

His legacy endures in conversations sparked, frameworks shaped, and communities inspired - all exploring mind, matter, and meaning. To remember him is to walk that road, unafraid to think beyond the lines.

Thank you, Sean. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat… May the road rise with you.

Sincere sympathy to Dympna, Melanie and the extended Nolan family on the loss of Seán - leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aige.

Dear Melanie,
Sincere sympathy on the sudden loss of your dear partner, Seán, a most remarkable and well respected man by any measure.
May he rest in the peace and tranquility he has earned and deserves.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Eddie

My family and I were very sorry to hear this sad news. Our condolences to all his family.
Suaibhneas síoraí ar a anam

Deepest sympathies to Melanie, to family and friends. Remembering affectionately in friendship, in music, and of sharing of knowledge. My memory of my young years would not have been of quality had it not been for the quality and kindness of friendship shared. You will be deeply missed.

Our deepest sympathies to Melanie, from the Board of Alliance Française de Cork and the AIPLF Committee.

Sincere sympathy to Johnnie’s family in Curracloe and Kilkee at this sad time.

Sincere condolences to Johnnys partner Melanie, his daughters, brothers and sisters and extended family. Suaimhneas siorai mo sheanchara scoile.

Sincere sympathy to Melanie and the Nolan family on the passing of Seán (Johnny). Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Sincere condolences to you Melanie, the extended Nolan family and Johnny’s many friends in the literary and musical world. Bed of heaven Johnny, I’m sure you are amongst the celestial choir and orchestra. Rest in eternal peace.

Our deepest sympathy to all of Johnny's family,far and near but especially all those in West Clare.
May he rest in peace.

My sympathy on your loss, Melanie. Condolences to all Seán’s family.
My interactions with Seán were fleeting but his brilliance was such that you were left wishing you could spend more time with him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Joe, so sorry to hear if the passing of Johnny. Condolences to all your family at this sad time.

Deepest sympathy to Tom and all the extended families.

Conor and Helen Hanrahan

Deepest sympathy to you Melanie and the O’Nualláin family on the loss of Sean. May he rest in peace.

Sorry to hear Johnny has parted this world. Our deepest sympathies to you all.

Tá brón orm faoi bhás mo chara.

Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí air.

Melanie,

My sincerest wishes of sympathy to you and to all of Séan's family at this very sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Condolences to Johnnie's partner, daughters, siblings and the extended Nolan family on his sad passing. Gone too young.
Mary and Mike Ballymore Camolin WX

Suaimheas síoraí dó.
Ár gcomhbhrón duitse a Melanie.

Johnny Hughes agus a chlann. Indreabhán

Melanie, our sincerest wishes of sympathy to you and to all of Séan's family at this very sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Seán Ó Nualláin was an exceptional inspirer, author, radical. and thought leader. His untimely death deprives us all of what we had been hoping for: many more decades of his shining a light, helping humanity on our journey. Our thoughts are with his with partner Melanie O'Reilly.
Cathal and Catherine MacSwiney Brugha

Melanie, I am so sorry to hear of Seans’ passing. It was my absolute pleasure to know Sean and our little chats made my day. He will be very sadly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Our deepest sympathy to Melanie and the extended Nolan family on the very sad passing of Sean. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

Sincere sympathy to Melanie and all Johnnie’s family and friends. Go raibh leaba aige i measc na naomh.
David and Colette Glynn, Kilrush.

Sincere condolences to Melanie, family and the extended Nolan family. Thinking of you at this sad time. May Johnny rest in peace.

Gaeilgeoir líofa, dea-chomhluadar agus ceoltóir cumasach. Aireoimid uainn thú a Sheáin. Ar gcomhbhrón le Melanie is lena ghaolta. AR dheis lámh Dé go raibh tú.

Sad to hear of Johnnie’s passing. May he rest in peace. Condolences to Melanie and extended family

Sincere sympathy to Melanie and the extended Nolan family on the passing of Johnny. At dheis De go raibh a anam

Sincere condolences to Melanie and the extended Nolan family. Thinking of you at this sad time. May Johnny rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Seán's partner, Melanie and to the Nolan family on your sad loss. May Seán (Johnny to his siblings) rest in peace.

So sad to hear of Sean’s untimely passing.. he was a warrior about all things that mattered to him and those he cared for.. he will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to Melanie and Sean’s family. May he rest in peace

Dearest Melanie. Sending you lots of support during this very difficult time of Seán's unexpected passing. May the wonderful times you shared give you strength at this sad time and may the joy you shared bring a smile to your face when you least expect it and most need it. Thinking of you and of Seán's family. May his soul rest in peace. Nicki

Melanie please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of Seán.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Condolences to the Ó'Nualláin family and his friends and colleagues.

My deepest sympathies to Melanie, and to all Sean's family, in this sad time.

Such sad news… You were a great guy Sean and I enjoyed all of our interactions through the many years. Making music together or just hanging out. My condolences to Melanie O’Reilly, and to your family. Rest in peace, my friend.

Melanie , can you accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of your partner Sean.
May he rest in peace .

Besides his impressive work as a scholar, Sean mobilized and gathered academic colleagues together in his formative "Foundations of Mind" conferences in California over several years. There were wonderful presentations and thoughtful discussions, sometimes fire-y as Sean could be, and he got all the papers published. This work stands out as an important contribution to interdisciplinary studies on consciousness.

Sean will be sorely missed! But now his work here is done. May he rest in peace.

Melanie and Sean's family, my heart goes out to you on your sudden and terrible loss. Melanie, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, especially if you are still in the San Francisco Bay Area and would like to get together, for support.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Melanie, and Sean's family and children, at this time of deep sadness and shock.
May you find peace and strength for the journey ahead in good memories and good friends.

Condolences to Johnnie's siblings on his sad passing and sympathy to Melanie and his family. May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Melanie and the O’ Nualláin family on the loss of Sean

Deepest condolences to Melanie and the O’ Nualláin family on the loss of Sean.

He was a force of nature, a genuine larger than life character who dominated any room he entered with gentle wit and resolute debate.
Unfortunately, his type are rare and his passing leaves a void in our society as it does in our hearts.

I was honoured to have known Sean, to have worked on the distribution of two of his books during difficult times and to have always had his generous and unwavering support.

Rest in peace my friend.

Mel, a chara dhíl, we send our deepest sympathy to you and all the Nualláin family on the death of Seán.
He was truly a remarkable man- a deep thinker who always had his own unique perspective on life. Leaba i measc na na-aingeal a raibh aige.
We send you cómhbhrón ó chroí, dear Mel, and we’re holding you in our hearts.