Passing of Mayo novelist and historian Michael Mullen
The death has taken place of Michael Mullen, Rathbawn Drive, Castlebar.
He died peacefully yesterday at Mayo University Hospital.
Michael is deeply regretted by his loving wife Deirdre, brother Tim, sister Maureen, sisters-in-law Emer and Anniemaye, brothers-in-law Diarmuid and Ciaran, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.
A widely-respected historian, Michael was one of Mayo's best known and most prolific writers, producing several novels and children's books as well as a number of plays.
Blessed with a beautiful and relaxed writing style, he gained an international reputation for his written of historical and mythological works.
A former principal of Glenisland National School, he presented many workshops on writing and spoke on national television and radio about his work.
Michael also has to his credit numerous brilliant short stories, articles and radio plays, written both in Irish and in English.
He penned some exceptional stories for children, most notably The Flight of the Earls (Poolbeg, 1991, 1992), based on the diary of the O'Neills, the work of Pádraic de Barra and the late Cardinal Ó Fiach (Imeacht na nIarlaí); and The Four Masters (Poolbeg, 1992), a brilliant account of Ireland's past in which he told the fascinating story of the Annals and the troubles that beset the scholars while recording the history in a Franciscan monastery on the border between Donegal and Leitrim.
Among his books for adults are The Festival of Fools (Wolfhound, 1984); The Road Taken: A Guide to the Roads and Scenery of Mayo (2008); Mayo: The Waters and the Wild (written in partnership with John P. McHugh in 2004); To Hell or Connaught (1994); The Hungry Land (1993); The Viking Princess(1990); Festival of Fools (1984) and Kelly: A Novel (1981).
Michael loved travelling the world and many of cities and countries he visited featured in his writing.
He also enjoyed his daily walks around Castlebar, meeting people and having a chat about politics and the state of Mayo football while regularly encouraging others to write a book "as everyone has one in them."
Michael was the popular recipient of Wild Atlantic Words Festival's first Appreciation Award a number of years ago in Castlebar.
The deceased had a close association with The Connaught Telegraph for over 50 years and he continued to pen a weekly column for the newspaper until a short number of years ago.
He particularly enjoyed writing his Christmas story for the newspaper every year and it was invariably one of the publication's most popular festive features.
In association with The Connaught Telegraph, he researched and wrote a book about the history of the Famine in Mayo which focused on the newspaper's weekly coverage of the tragic era.
Michael will repose at Coady’s Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5.30 p.m. with removal at 7 p.m. to The Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.
Requiem Mass takes place on Wednesday at 11.30 a.m followed by burial afterwards in the Old Cemetery, Castlebar.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.