By Róise Collins
A large crowd gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Derrybeg on Thursday morning to bid farewell to beloved Gaoth Dobhair man, Michael Gerard Roarty.
The vast congregation that filled the pews was a testament to the respect and affection Michael, the popular barman, had earned over the years.
Father Brian Ó Fearraigh, who celebrated the funeral mass, spoke of Michael’s contagious warmth and kindness.
“He had a rare, natural gift for making others feel at home, whether they were close friends or complete strangers—that was simply his nature. He had a way of bringing people together and making each individual feel like the most important person in the room,” Fr Ó Fearraigh shared.
Just hours before his passing on Saturday, Michael and his family celebrated his mother’s birthday with a special breakfast. Together, they smiled for a photo to capture the joyous moment. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
That same picture sat above Michael’s coffin just days later.
“It was only a few short hours after that joyful gathering that Michael was taken from us unexpectedly,” said Fr Ó Fearraigh.
“His sudden death serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change, and how fragile our time together truly is. A reminder that our days are numbered, and none of us are promised tomorrow.”
Michael was born in Leeds and, from an early age, spent most of his summer holidays in Gaoth Dobhair. He began working for the Barr family in Dodge, and in 1988, his family moved to Knockastolar in Gaoth Dobhair. By then, Michael had already found work at Óstan in Dungloe, marking the start of his lifelong career in the hospitality industry.
Over the years, Michael worked in bars across the county, including Séan Óg’s, Oasis Bar, The Brewery, and The Orchard Inn. His final place of work was McCafferty’s Bar in Dungloe, where he also spent time at their sister venue, McCafferty’s JVC in Dubai.
“For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, Michael’s work in hospitality was more than just a career—it was his calling,” said Fr Ó Fearraigh.
“His ability to connect with people, to bring joy, comfort, and warmth to others, was unparalleled. He had an innate gift of hospitality, one that made everyone feel at ease, as though they were the most important person in the room.”
Even in his final moments, his spirit of care and love for others remained strong. Reflecting on Michael’s life, Father Ó Fearraigh emphasised the significance of his final words.
“The last words spoken to his mother and brother, as he waved across the road from the corner of McCafferty’s in Dungloe, were ‘carry on’.”
Father Ó Fearraigh described these words as “powerful” and “poignant,” resonating deeply with family, friends, and colleagues who mourned Michael’s sudden and unexpected passing.
Michael is deeply missed by his heartbroken mother Sheila, his sister Kathleen (Liam), his brother Charlie (Ciara), uncles Hughie and Martin, nephews and nieces Liam, Sinéad, Síle, Kate, Ava, Charlie, and Louis, cousins, extended family, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.
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