Castlebar mourns Mick Morgan who has died in Thailand

 

THE town of Castlebar was stunned today (Wednesday) by news of the sudden death of well known local character Michael (Mick) Morgan.

Mick passed away in Thailand overnight while on a stopover on a journey from Australia where he attended a wedding earlier this month.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed but the remains are expected to be repatriated to Ireland in the coming days.

A friend who was travelling with Mick confirmed the sad news to The Connaught Telegraph early this afternoon.

'Mick  slipped away during the night,' the friend said.

Mick Morgan, who was in his early sixties, was a familiar figure on the streets of Castlebar easily recognisable by his long hair and lush beard.

'He was renowned for his friendly character and deadly wit,' explained Johnny Mee, writer of the popular 'Auld Stock' series in The Connaught Telegraph.

Mick Morgan, who grew up at St. Bridget's Crescent, was predeceased by his father, Michael, and mother Mary.

One of his brothers, Johnny, died in 2010 at the age of 53.

He is survived by a brother, Padhraic.

In a tribute to Mick today (Wednesday), Councillor Blackie Gavin, chairman of Castlebar Municipal District, said he had been a great ambassador for Castlebar, travelling extensively throughout the world as part of his work for Rehab and the Mayo Emigrants Association.

'He was kind, gentle  and humorous,' Councillor Gavin explained, 'well loved by everybody who knew him.'