Longford shocked by sudden death of knowledgeable and supportive arts officer

Fergus passed away suddenly but peacefully, last Friday (March 31).

The public servant was well known and well regarded across the county. Lanesboro's Joe O'Brien came into close contact with the Arts Officer while working on the Lough Ree Environmental Summer School: “He was a supporter of everything,” Joe told the Leader, “he was a larger than life character. He will be sadly missed.”

Fergus took up the post of Arts Officer with the local authority in 1996. He was an innovator who embraced change: “He was very forward thinking. He was very supportive of people who were forward thinking. The bland was not for Fergus. Creativity was the important thing for him, and that is where he came into his own,” Joe said.

“He has done so much throughout the county. Everywhere he went he left a legacy of different sorts within the arts sector. To put it down to one thing would be wrong, he was involved in so many projects across the county. He has left something different in every community he worked with,” Joe concluded.

A former colleague spoke of the indelible imprint on the county, with The Violin sculpture by Alex Pentek on the N5 bypass flagged as a project Fergus was particularly proud of instigating. Fergus won awards for establishing a website promoting local writers long before it was common practice.

Many tributes have been paid following Fergus's passing. Ollie Kenny, Chairman Backstage Theatre Group, noted the passing of “a great friend in drama”. Olly said: “Fergus was a very kind and approachable gentleman. He endeared himself to us and many other arts organisations in Longford with his support and attendance at numerous arts events down the years. We'd like to note our appreciation for his support as recently as last week for our Spring Production of Sive in Backstage Theatre.”

The Theatre Group chair added: “Fergus also made a significant contribution to the upskilling of our actors and directors in the Drama League of Ireland Summer School for many years, and we are very grateful for his important support in these matters.”
Most recently Fergus lived in Tarmonbarry, and was formerly of Cloontagh, Newtownforbes, Longford and Borrisokane, Tipperary.

Described as 'a knowledgeable man who will be terribly missed at Longford County Council', Fergus provided great support, direction and encouragement to the myriad of arts groups based in every corner of county Longford.

The assistance that he gave to a variety of groups was apparent with the flood of comments on social media. Bernadette Shea, of Stonepark NS, paid tribute saying: “When our school extension was being built, we were tasked with organising the Per Cent for Art programme. We poured over the 45 page booklet, scratching our heads as to how we would go about this process. Fergus came to the rescue.

“He guided us through the whole procedure-from beginning to end, simplifying the whole process. The art installation which now graces our main stairwell is, in large part, a result of Fergus’s kind guidance and knowledgeable expertise. Leaba i measc na bhFíreán dó is gura fada buan a chuimhne.”

In a statement Longford County Council said: “(Fergus) has left a great legacy, bringing the arts, in many forms, to communities across the county and will be remembered fondly by those who worked with him. The Council Offices and Libraries will be closed to the public as a mark of respect on Wednesday morning, reopening at 2pm on Wednesday afternoon.”

They continued: “Longford County Council extends its deepest sympathies to Fergus’ family, colleagues, and many friends at this very sad time.”

Fergus is predeceased by his parents Michael and Rita. His will be remembered with love by his family, son Michael and his mother Sinead, sisters Karina (Terryglass, Co Tipperary) and Orla (Rathoe, Co Carlow), brother Damien (Borrisokane, Co Tipperary), brother-in-law Joe, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, work colleagues and friends.