Fergal McGrath

To Mr and Mrs McGrath, Garrett, Morgan, and all the family.

Most sincere condolences on the passing of your wonderful son and brother, Fergal.

We were all neighbours in Maunsell's Road from a very young age. What a lovely guy. I would meet Fergal occasionally in recent years and he was always very easy to talk to and very interesting to listen to. He kept his boyish looks and had a calm manner which complemented great intelligence and he had a marvellous sense of humour.

I met Fergal in the train station in Galway and we had an enjoyable catch up. It certainly brightened up that day for me. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see Fergal. It was a great shock to hear of his passing.

Fergal will be greatly missed by his close-knit loving family and wide circle of admiring and caring friends.

May he enjoy his deserved eternal Rest in Peace.

Barry O'Donovan
19 Maunsell's Road (currently Australia)

My heartfelt condolences to the McGrath family on this terrible loss. I will be forever grateful for the privilege to have known Fergal.

Ferg, I almost missed the deadline to submit my few words...but no, just made it in time! I can see Terry O'Brien looking at me over his glasses!

Deepest condolences to your family for whom your absence must be such a void. It is so hard to believe that you are no longer with us. I will miss your smile, your laugh and your beautiful eyes but most of all I will miss our chats, I loved our conversations and was often inspired by your nuggets of wisdom. I always just assumed that there would be many years ahead for more. Rest in Peace Ferg, you were one in a million! Annie x (Coleraine Days)

I first met Fergal over a decade ago in the kitchen of an edit suite in London - we'd chat over a cuppa on breaks from our projects. I was immediately struck by how open, funny and warm he was. We stayed in touch and a couple of years later, I worked with Fergal on a miniseries about Dian Fossey for National Geographic. I would spend long days in Fergal's flat, being made lovely strong yet milky cups of tea and greatly enjoying our creative sparks (along with Jenny Evans who coined the name "Fergie" which stuck - for us at least!) I loved his fiery passion when he advocated for something he believed in. He was a person who was truly alive to each moment, and as an editor he was deeply talented at finding the emotional heart of a story (I'm conflating the personal and professional because I think they were entwined for him - he approached his work the way he approached his life).

For the final stage of the project we spent a few months in Bristol. It was a tough time for me: our project was intense and my Dad was in the later stages of dementia. His empathy and kindness in navigating that situation were a balm. Somewhere we went from being 'work friends' to being 'friend friends'. He came up to our wedding and was by far the most popular guest, charming my Mum and aunt and swapping numbers with my older brother and even inviting him to Ted Fest (which F declined to say he founded - so humble!)

What a radiant man. I feel blessed to have felt Fergie's glow.

Deepest condolences to all Fergal's family. We miss our beautiful Fergal every day. He was a very dear friend over many years, going right back to Coleraine in 1988 and from there to Paris and Bonn, where we had so much fun and many adventures as reckless youngsters.
It was always a pure joy to spend time with Fergal. We looked forward to his visits to Clones Film Festival, where he was a valued mentor - so generous with his time and ideas. And to our stays with him in Finsbury Park, for gatherings with our wide circle of friends. You are so loved and missed, dear Fergal. Codladh sámh. ❤️

Sincere condolences to the McGrath's, I have great fond memories of Fergal who was a great friend of my older brother Eamonn, he was such good fun and so sound.

It still seems so hard to believe that Ferg is no longer with us, even now that a month has gone by. I'm blessed that I knew him, having met him 37 years ago in Coleraine in Uni there. We studied European Business Studies with French, although it would be fair to say that sometimes there wasn't much studying going on! Ferg knew everyone, he had time for everyone, and cared about everyone.

We all enjoyed fun and adventures in France, Belgium and Spain. He had an impact on everyone he met and none of us will forget that mischievous smile and laugh and that gorgeous twinkle in his eyes. I'm so glad I got to see him a few weeks before he died, and although obviously weakened by the illness, he was still laughing and joking, and inquiring about my family.

He joins three other much loved EBSers and I hope they are singing and laughing wherever they are. Ferg, you're gone way too soon, the world was a much better place with you in it, and your loss is deeply felt across the world. Deepest condolences to his much loved parents and brothers. The outpouring of love for him means that his light will shine on.

Sincere condolences to the McGrath's, and all who knew Fergal. I remember Fergal from school and college and hadn't seen him since, but remember him as always bringing a genuine warmth and sense of fun with him. May he rest in peace.

So sorry to hear that Fergal has passed away. I knew Fergal in London, and he was a kind, generous and supportive person. He always kept in touch congratulating and offering support on any new production I worked on over the years. He will be missed sorely by all who knew him. Sending my deepest condolences to his family.

My deepest and heartfelt condolences to Frank, Addie, Garret and Morgan on the passing of your son and brother Fergal. And our pal. With Fergal’s passing the eve of the summer solstice arrived. Into the light and with peak sunshine – and so was Fergal too amongst us all.

We die with the dying:
See, they depart, and we go wth them.
We are born with the dead:
See, they return, and bring us with them.
– T.S. Eliot's Little Gidding

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to all the Mc Grath family. Realised I’ve known Ferg for over 20yrs. He held my hand as I first arrived in London and started in the post production industry many moons ago. We did a London to Brighton bike ride together which was eventful and he was always there supporting me at any industry event where he knew I was up to stuff. I always loved that and felt very honoured by his presence. Such a beautiful man, and I will miss him deeply. Sending love and condolences to his family . What an incredible man and beautiful soul. Rest in Peace dear Ferg ❤️

My deepest condolences to Fergal‘s family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Fergal xx

Ferg, You were a very fine gentleman who showed such kindness to aspiring editors. We will miss you very much. Rest in peace.

On behalf of myself and my daughters Harriet and Daisy,I would like to say that so very rarely are we blessed to know someone as truly beautiful as Fergal. I personally cannot still believe he is not somewhere in person making people feel that much better about life. I will forever expect that call or to bump into him, he never lets you down.

So sorry aboutFergal .
He is sorely missed. A great loss to us here in london too.God bless x

Firstly I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Fergal’s family and friends at this terrible time. I still can’t believe that such an amazing man has been taken from us. I’ve been thinking of what to write here and I think the one point I’ve always come back to is this.
I first met him in the early 90’s and we were friends from then on. In all those years (maybe his very close friends and family will correct me on this!!) I never heard a bad word spoken about him. I don’t remember anyone saying they’d had an argument with him or had fallen out with him, everyone loved him and only had positive things to say about him.
What a wonderful testament to a fantastic man taken way, way too early.
Sleep well mate.
It was a pleasure to have known you.
Jonesey. Xx

I am so very sorry for the untimely loss of your lovely Fergal. I had the immense pleasure of meeting him several times in London at his cousin Fiona's house for various gatherings. Fergal was very easy company, calm, smiling, intelligent and with a wonderful sense of humour. He just emanated warmth.
My sincerest condolences to all the McGrath and McKnight families and to Fergal's many friends at this desperately sad time.

My sincerest condolences to Fergal's family and friends. I knew Fergal through the British Film Editors, an organisation he contributed to tirelessly and with great passion. Fergal was incredibly welcoming, kind-hearted and a thoroughly lovely person. He will be deeply missed.

Sincere condolences to the McGrath family. Fergal was one in a million. Thinking of you all at this very tough time.

Fergal was one of a kind and will be forever missed. Sleep well my friend

Heartbroken for Fergal's family and friends at his loss. I knew Fergal in London and he was a joy to be around. He was kind and funny and full of joy and energy. We are all sad

Our Condolences to the McGrath family, I went to school with Fergal in the 80's at St. Jarlath's. Fergal will be missed, a very kind man.

Sincere condolences to Fergal’s family. I met Fergal at an awards event and immediately liked him: he was warm and witty and gentle. I also immediately wanted to work with him; he was obviously a great editor (that was clear from his work) but I also thought: here’s a person who it would be fun and illuminating to spend editing months with. Sadly that never happened - we planned a project but Covid intervened.
I’m very sorry not to have had that experience but extremely grateful that I met this lovely, unusual, kind person.

Am very sorry to hear the sad news. I was a classmate of Fergal's in St Jarlath's in the 1980s. I then met Fergal a few times in London in 2000 and 2001. I was at the world premiere of 24 Hours in London (2000) (I can hear Fergal chuckling as I write). I have a note also that I then bumped into him on Sunday 3rd December 2000 randomly on the street in London. I remember being very happy to see him and he seemed happy to see me. Because of this we met up a few times again over the following weeks. I returned to live in Ireland later in 2001. Rest in Peace Fergal. Condolences to the McGrath family.

My heartfelt condolences go to Fergal's parents Addie and Frank, his brothers Garrett and Morgan and all of Fergal's family. I am so grateful to the person who told him to take that flight back to Galway so he could be with his family at the end.

I feel blessed to have had the joyous Fergal McGrath in my life. The most generous man in every way, to know Fergal was to love him. He gave so much to so many with a generosity of spirit completely unsurpassed.
We recently exchanged a quote, 'the more you praise and celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate'. Fergal was a man who believed in celebrating all the good things in life and I spent many happy times with him doing just that.
We spent our Friday evenings together and he became a very dear friend.
I will miss him terribly but feel fortunate to have had him in my life, with his open-heartedness and positivity.
He has left an indelible impression on all of us. We move forward in his spirit + as ever, raise a glass to him. X

Farewell to my old neighbour Fergal, a person with a huge heart who touched so many lives. Our friendship started rather bizarrely - I was on my way home from a nightclub in the early hours when a few of his friends, sitting on a wall outside his house, invited me into the legendary McGrath family home where Fergal's 21st birthday was in full swing. That party took on legendary status as the Bishop of Galway, Eamonn Casey, was also present in the basement of a family home which was renowned for its parties. My parents, not exactly party people, had enjoyed socialising there with the older generation of McGraths. Fergal and I often shared a laugh about that legendary night.

When he tried to make a go of it back in Galway around 2007, where I was an established journalist, we regularly met up to discuss the state of the media and the difficulties of being a freelancer in a small city. He never lost his connection to the West of Ireland and his love of a good laugh was evident in how much he embraced the TedFest festival out on the Aran Islands.

After moving back to London, Fergal would inform me of top class documentaries he was involved with from time to time, as well as arranging to meet up with us during his regular visits back to Galway. My sympathies to his family and close friends. We have all lost a gem of a person. Only Fergal could have people talking about his 21st birthday party more than 30 years after the event. RIP mo chara.

I had the pleasure of meeting Fergal when I worked for BFE.

Fergal stood out for his passion and fairness. He was always the first to consider how things could be done to benefit everyone and had the courage, determination, and strength of character to be an advocate as well as a mentor.

I will forever be grateful for having known Fergal and will try in his honour to have conviction in supporting fairness, equality and community.

And let’s not forget his cracking sense of humour and our great snooker chats.

Thanks for everything Ferg.

Love Kirsty x

Sincere sympathy to Morgan and family on your loss

My sincere condolences to all the family. I spent many great years in the kitchen in Maunsells Road with the three brothers. Fergal was a lovely guy and will always be fondly remembered.

I met Fergal whilst he was working for Misfits on Love & Rage, where he did a brilliant job of editing in a very short space of time. I was not working with him, but I would have loved to one day. He was so inquisitive, kind and quick-witted - so good at asking questions. I loved getting to know him & I am so sad that we have lost such a lovely person. My deepest condolences to his family. X Dorothea

I met Fergal at least twice. Once, in Ireland — I think it was at the Clones film festival and another time in London, at an editors' party in Soho. He definitely made an impression as a down to earth, decent and fun guy. He put my name forward for work on a doc. He didn't have to do this. But from what I hear, he did that for lots of people. That's the kind of guy he was. Very sad to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family.

The memories of happy times with Fergal will last a lifetime and beyond. From sharing a house in Portstewart to all the adventures and gatherings in various places since then. Fergal was fun, mischievious, caring, compassionate and generous. It was always a joy to spend time with him. I am deeply sorry for you Morgan, Garett and your parents, and hope that you get some comfort in knowing what an impact Fergal had and how we will never forget him.

It’s hard to know what to say Fergal McGrath except you were a truly lovely man and a fine friend. I will miss you and think of you at solstice in high summer when darkness is pushed to the very edges of the days. With peace and love. AS

Sincere condolences to Morgan and The McGrath family on Fergal's passing. So sad to hear this. A lovely man who I had to pleasure of meeting.
Beannacht Dé leis.

Dear Frank, Addie, Garrett and Morgan,

How terrible it must be that you have lost your lovely, charming, kind, talented, generous, funny and downright decent Fergal at such a young age.

It was always a pleasure spending time with him. There was never an awkward silence and conversation flowed in many diverting directions.

I shared some music and films with him, which he enjoyed when he was in hospital, and he wrote that "My hope is that this illness is a mere detail, rather than a defining moment in my life story." Soon after that I stopped getting replies to my messages, and it struck me that there would be no more nights full of laughter shared with Fergal...

A hole the size of Fergal's heart has been left in the lives of those that knew him. It'll be very, very hard to fill... But I'm sure he'll be raising hell at the top table of angels!

I shall miss him...

Sincere condolences to all of the McGrath family on the untimely passing of Fergal, may he rest in peace. Rosie Cahill, Shantalla Road

Deepest sympathies to all of Fergal's family and friends. We had the pleasure of meeting Fergal on a skiing trip. Such a nice warm person and great fun. So sorry for your loss.

Morgan, sincerest condolences to you, your parents, Garrett and extended families on the passing of Fergal RIP. Thinking of you at this sad time.

Very sorry to hear about Fergals passing. I have very fond memories of him from my university days, gone too young! My deepest sympathies to his family and close friends.

So sorry to hear of your loss! Sending much love and light in the days and months that follow!

“Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.” John o’ donohue

I had the pleasure of knowing Fergal through Dom McKenna. I'm saddened at his passing and would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends.
Fergal was incredibly kind, thoughtful, generous and very funny. He will be dearly missed and I'm so thankful to have known him.

Dearest Ferg.
I’m so happy and grateful to have been in your orbit, even for a short time, and you certainly impacted my life more than you could know. Making me part of the edit consultancy gave me huge confidence, and also a feeling of community and belonging that is often lacking in the editing world!
I will miss your bright energy and kind thoughtfulness. Always uplifting, always looking for the best in things. And always a laugh!
I was away walking in Spain when your mass was held - I tried to connect but obviously failed! And had a beautiful time holding you vividly in my thoughts while the birds sang suddenly incandescently loud! Nature was definitely celebrating you that day.
Lots of love to you and your family. Thank you for making the world a brighter, kinder, more joyful place. Kate ♥️

Deepest sympathy to Addie, Frank, Garrett and Morgan on the sad passing of
Fergal.
Suaimhneas Dea ar a anam uasal.
Mary, Rory,Eilis, Michael and John Tobin.
Maunsells Road.

Sending our love & thoughts
Dave, Lisa, Evie & Cameron x

Deepest sympathy to the McGrath family on the death of Fergal
May he rest in peace

We’re heartbroken to say goodbye to someone so full of life, laughter, and kindness. You were the kind of friend who lit up every room, always quick with a clever remark, always ready to make someone smile, and always the first to show kindness where it was needed most.

We will miss you more than words can say, but also feel incredibly lucky and warmed by all the wonderful memories we shared with you. The laughter, the mischief, the genuine care you gave so freely, those moments will stay with us always.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to your two amazing brothers and your loving parents. We can only imagine the depth of their loss, and we hope they find some comfort in knowing how deeply loved Fergal was by all of us. Your beautiful spirit lives on in every memory, every laugh, and every heart you touched.

You’ll never be forgotten.

We know that death comes to us all, but this one is very tough to take! A very bright light has been extinguished for us all, and it seems totally incomprehensible that Fergal is no longer with us, that he is really gone.
Fergal left us on the eve of the longest, brightest day of the year and though his passing leaves us in a dark place, that would never have been his intention.
Cicero said long ago, “The lives of the dead are placed in the memories of the living”. So let us defy death, and keep Fergal alive in our memories for as long as we all shall live. He also said: “It’s not death a man should fear, but never beginning to live.” Fergal certainly need have no regrets in that regard! He was a man so full of life, full of love for life, and he lived his life to the full with abounding energy.
The saddest thing about funerals is that the gathering that occurs in honour of the deceased comes too late for the deceased themselves. Never more so than in the case of Fergal who loved any excuse for a get-together and some mighty craic. He'd have been in his element, knowing every single person in attendance!
Fergal was one of the most caring, generous, charming individuals you could ever meet, with a huge sense of humour, as all who knew him can attest. He was a man for all people, without prejudice, bigotry, or discrimination. We could all do well to be more like Fergal! RIP, my cousin, my brother, my dear friend. Your brilliant light will shine on forever in all our hearts!

Our sincere condolences Addie, Frank, Garrett, Morgan and your extended family on the very sad passing of your beloved Fergal. He was a great pal of our Denis who passed away many years ago. Comforting to think they are together again in heaven.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

We are so sorry to hear of Fergal’s passing. While I didn’t know him well, our sister Laura was a good friend of his back in the day, and we have fond memories of Fergal at her 30th in Clifden. Having lost Laura far too young too, we know the heartbreak of losing a sibling. Our hearts go out to Morgan—always a great friend to our family—Garrett, Frank, Addie, and all the family.

Sending our deepest condolences,
Ian & all the Thornton family

I'm so sorry to hear of Fergal's passing and I send my condolences to the family and his loved ones. I had the opportunity to work with Fergal a few years ago and I'll never forget his sparkling eyes and sense of fun and curiosity. He made a challenging project so much easier and we laughed - a lot. My heart is with you all.

Sincere condolences Addy Frank and family at this very difficult time

May Fergal Rest in Peace

Frank, my deepest sympathy to you, Addie, and all your family on the very sad passing of your son Fergal, I hope the memories of such a wonderful man will bring comfort to you, may he rest in peace.

Our deepest Sympathy to you Morgan Gillian and Family on the very sad passing of Fergal, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. May Fergal Rest in Peace 🙏

Sincere sympathy to Fergal's family and friends. Fergal represented the fun, laughter, kindness and friendship we found during our time at Coleraine. The life and soul of a party yet softly spoken, incredibly talented yet humble, honest yet mischievous - a wonderfully well put-together human being. The love coming through the messages over the last few weeks are testament to a life well-lived and he will be deeply missed. Inspired to be a little more "Fergal" in life. ❤ RIP

Morgan and extended family, sincere condolences. Ger

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Mc Grath family.

I feel very lucky to have known Fergal. I got to know him via the editing community in London. Each encounter with him was filled with humour and kindness. He was generous with his time and his experience and I feel very grateful to have spent time in his presence. Fergal, your smile, wit and friendship will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace Fergal, you were the best of all of us.

Frank and Addie, Garrett and Morgan, we are heartbroken for you all, may his gentle spirit be at peace. Sincere condolences.

The staff of Westside Library would like to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Addie, Frank and family on the passing and loss of Fergal. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad and difficult time. Ar dheis Dè go raibh a anam.

I was so very sorry to hear about Fergal’s passing and send my sincere condolences to his family and his very many friends. I knew Fergal in Coleraine. It’s years since we last met but he’s been on my mind so much and one image that kept coming to me was how - when Fergal was talking to you – he leaned in, his eyes became bigger, those amazing eyebrows would rise, his head would nod, and you knew he was 100% there – like a camera zooming in on its subject – intent on being present. And wow, was he present to a lot of people through his short life - as evidenced by the beautiful tributes here. What a gift to those who had the pleasure of knowing him, and what a legacy he’s left to so many. Thank you for being you Fergal and may your beautiful spirit live on in those you leave behind.

Rest in peace Fergal. Condolences to your family and many friends and colleagues.