The Late James Magan The close-knit Killashee community was united in grief as the Magan family bade a fond farewell to their beloved 16 year old son, James, following his defiant battle with illness over the last four and a half years. James passed away in the loving care of his family and the deep hurt and sorrow now felt by his family, is a measure of the great love they have for this special person. His removal and funeral mass were probably the largest ever seen in the South Longford village as they travelled from near and far to be as one with this very popular and respected family in their hour of greatest need. Family friends and neighbours opened up fields and yards to park and direct cars for both the removal and funeral and these actions too were a measure of the extent to which this young man's battle had touched a whole community. James passed away in the loving arms of his parents, Mike and Mary and surrounded by his sisters, Rachel, Paula, Alice; his brothers, Michael and Johnathan; grandparents, John and Margo Magan, grandmother Angela Beirne and other family members. For the past four and a half years, James and his illness was a bond that drew this family together and made them ever stronger. Given his family's strong sporting tradition (hi grandmother swam for Ireland and his father is a major figure in the local GAA club), James was a strangely unfazed by sport. His great passion was the 'Lord of the Rings' and he was an expert on the subject and he had a particular interest in models and drawings with a 'Lord of the Rings' theme and at the height of his illness, he would find a temporary escape in the creation of models of Middle Earth. It was the arts, history and science that fired this young man and he made no secret of the fact. One school friend remembered his early days at Mel's when young James was asked who his favourite team was, and he simply replied 'Soccer? That's just 22 men running after a bag of wind.' His similar disinterest in farming was another source of humorious irony for the Magan family and it simply added to the magical qualities of this truly unique, young man. The gifts at his funeral mass included a cartoon drawing of another firm favourite of his, Homer Simpson. In the last few months and with his hearing failing, the US TV hero was a favourite of James'. He may not have been able to hear the TV but the simplistic nature of the exchanges brought on some of those characteristic smiles that will live forever in the minds and hearts of his family and the many others touched by this sixteen year old. James was a young man who brought out the best in people. He touched the lives of so many and made a tremendous impression on all who knew him, not least the doctors and nursing staff of the Beaumont and Crumlin hospitals, who were deeply saddened at the news of the death. And for their part, the Magan family were deeply appreciative of all that the hospitals had done for young James. As a measure of their appreciation, James' father, Mike, organised the Green GAA Challenge match between Killashee and Clonguish and this raised over Eu20,000 for Crumlin hospital. The death of young James Magan is another tragic blow for St Mel's College following the death earlier this year of Ardagh's Dermot Noone. School friends in the distinctive St Mel's uniform were there in force for both the removal and funeral Mass and a heavy sadness hung over the school from the time that principal Denis Glennon's announced their friend's passing early on Friday last. James had a huge respect and affinity with St. Mel's and whilst his illness meant that he missed most of the last year and a half at the school, he was still registered to sit the Leaving Cert next June. In a few short years at the school, his parents saw him really blossom as he hungered after knowledge. He was passionate about the school magazine, to which he was a regular contributor whilst he excelled in Art, English, History and Science. There is no doubt that the young Killashee lad left an indelible mark on the school during his short time there. He was a gifted and able student and he would dearly have loved to have been able to make a career for himself in journalism or research. He was much loved by all his teachers and he brought to each subject an infectious appetite for knowledge and life itself - something that makes coming to terms with his passing all the more difficult. He sat his Junior Cert a year and a half ago under great pressure. Lesser men would have thrown in the towel but James was determined to prove a point and he rightly went on to excel in his exams. For their part, the Magan family were greatly appreciative of the solidarity and friendship shown to them by James' young friends at the College. A core group of about 15 friends corresponded with him by letter, text and email to the very end and he always hankered after the latest news or developments from the school. They regularly called to see him in Kilashee and it was a bond that the magan family were very grateful for. The passing of young James Magan has left an enormous void in the lives of of so many and his passing at such a young age will be most accutely felt by his family. They rarely left his side in the past four and a half years and the deeply felt bond that grew around them will have mande the tragic news only slightly easier to bear. James Magan was a young man hwo had so much to live for and yet in sixteen short years he cultivated an unrivalled love and family bond. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Longford Leader, November, 2004. Tweet

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