Gallery: Cormac McAnallen remembered at Gala event

Over six hundred people packed into the Armagh City Hotel recently to reflect upon and further the legacy of the late Cormac McAnallen a decade after his death.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2014, 11:36 BST
Some of the people who served as Trustees of the Cormac Trust since its inception in 2005. Seated: Paul Doris, Liam Nelis, Bridget McAnallen, Marian Kelly, John Mulgrew. Back: Brendan McAnallen, Martin Grimley, Ruairi Martin, Donal McAnallen. Missing from picture: Prof Peter Mossey, Prof Pascal McKeown, Dr Frank Casey, Dr Gareth Loughrey, and Henry DalySome of the people who served as Trustees of the Cormac Trust since its inception in 2005. Seated: Paul Doris, Liam Nelis, Bridget McAnallen, Marian Kelly, John Mulgrew. Back: Brendan McAnallen, Martin Grimley, Ruairi Martin, Donal McAnallen. Missing from picture: Prof Peter Mossey, Prof Pascal McKeown, Dr Frank Casey, Dr Gareth Loughrey, and Henry Daly
Some of the people who served as Trustees of the Cormac Trust since its inception in 2005. Seated: Paul Doris, Liam Nelis, Bridget McAnallen, Marian Kelly, John Mulgrew. Back: Brendan McAnallen, Martin Grimley, Ruairi Martin, Donal McAnallen. Missing from picture: Prof Peter Mossey, Prof Pascal McKeown, Dr Frank Casey, Dr Gareth Loughrey, and Henry Daly

The gala banquet, entitled ‘Comóradh Chormaic’, brought together many people who knew or admired Cormac and others who have been affected by the medical issues raised by his death.

Following a picture-loop telling the story of Cormac’s life, the Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh recited the poem, ‘The Beautiful Game’, as he had done ten years ago. The event went on to profile some of the various projects that commemorated Cormac. After dinner, the Campa Chormaic summer camps were showcased by spoken and video presentations, and a number of awards were made to key personnel.

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The principal legacy project to be featured was the Cormac Trust, which was formally launched at the same venue nine years earlier.

Some of the people who served as Trustees of the Cormac Trust since its inception in 2005. Seated: Paul Doris, Liam Nelis, Bridget McAnallen, Marian Kelly, John Mulgrew. Back: Brendan McAnallen, Martin Grimley, Ruairi Martin, Donal McAnallen. Missing from picture: Prof Peter Mossey, Prof Pascal McKeown, Dr Frank Casey, Dr Gareth Loughrey, and Henry DalySome of the people who served as Trustees of the Cormac Trust since its inception in 2005. Seated: Paul Doris, Liam Nelis, Bridget McAnallen, Marian Kelly, John Mulgrew. Back: Brendan McAnallen, Martin Grimley, Ruairi Martin, Donal McAnallen. Missing from picture: Prof Peter Mossey, Prof Pascal McKeown, Dr Frank Casey, Dr Gareth Loughrey, and Henry Daly
Some of the people who served as Trustees of the Cormac Trust since its inception in 2005. Seated: Paul Doris, Liam Nelis, Bridget McAnallen, Marian Kelly, John Mulgrew. Back: Brendan McAnallen, Martin Grimley, Ruairi Martin, Donal McAnallen. Missing from picture: Prof Peter Mossey, Prof Pascal McKeown, Dr Frank Casey, Dr Gareth Loughrey, and Henry Daly

In his speech, the Chairman, Brendan McAnallen, outlined the work of the Trust in that time: raising awareness, promoting cardiac screening among young people, and presenting over 200 defibrillators to clubs, emergency services and communities. People whose lives had been saved by screening and defibrillators gave personal testimonies to the impact of the Trust and the importance of its work.

The event was hosted jointly by Lynette Fay and Adrian Logan and featured several pieces of musical entertainment and Irish dancing. A draw comprising some illustrious prizes was also held.

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