Gearóid Ó Cairealláin peacefully passed away in hospital on Friday surrounded by his family.
Gearóid Ó Cairealláin peacefully passed away in hospital on Friday surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife Bríd Ó Gallchoir, sons Ainle, Cairbre, Naoise (Móglaí Bap), mum Theresa, and siblings Marie, Anthony, Martin, Claire, and Cristín.
He will repose at 34, Hillhead Crescent in Belfast from this evening before a requiem mass in St Peter’s Cathedral on Tuesday morning at 10am.
The 67-year-old headed Conradh na Gaelic between 1995 and 1998 and was a central figure in the 1991 establishment of Coláiste Feirste.
He suffered a stroke some years ago that left him paralysed from the waist down and used a wheelchair but continued to work on different projects promoting the Irish language.
Kneecap paid tribute to their bandmate’s dad at their sold-out SSE Arena gig last night just hours after announcing his death.
The Irish language rap trio, whose eponymous feature film was recently shortlisted for two Oscars, projected an image of Ó Cairealláin on the stage’s screen alongside the dates 1957-2024 and the words “Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann” (There will never be the likes of you again).
Their performance was supported by Irish band Gurriers and Dublin singer Gemma Dunleavy.
In an Instagram post earlier in the day, the band posted photos of Ó Cairealláin, and wrote: “Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, father of Móglaí Bap passed away last night.
“He was an Irish language revolutionary, community activist, loving father, husband and an inspiration to many. We are heartbroken.
“Tonight’s concert at the SSE arena will be the largest Irish language gig in the city’s history.
“Nothing would have made him prouder. Tonight is for him.”
Paying tribute, Paula Melvin, the current president of Conradh na Gaeilge, said Mr Ó Cairealláin was “a loved and cherished figure”.
“There can be no denying the incredible influence and impact Gearóid had on the Irish language movement, not only in Belfast, but throughout the country,” he said.
“He leaves behind him an undeniable legacy that will be an immense source of inspiration for us all throughout the future.”
Conchúr Ó Muadaigh, Conradh na Gaeilge advocacy manager, said society had lost “a giant, a leader, a great pioneer and activist of the Irish language movement”.
“He was, in many ways, the great architect of the modern revival, and the Irish language community as we know it today would simply not be here were it not for Gearóid and his colleagues,” he said.
He added: “Gearóid was resolute in his drive for language rights and equality, and tirelessly challenged the state and authorities for Irish language services.
