The father of tragic Tyrone GAA star Cormac McAnallen has died, it has been announced.
Brendan McAnallen, 77, passed away peacefully at his home in The Brantry, Eglish, Co Tyrone on Thursday morning, August 4 following an illness.
A well-known businessman and historian in the local area, Mr McAnallen owned the Spar store in the village of Benburb as well as the pub which he bought in 2007 and renamed The Bottle of Benburb, a name suggested by his late son Cormac.
Born in 1945, Mr McAnallen set up the successful interior construction company ArdMac in 1977 along with his brothers Kevin and Sean and over the years have had offices in Craigavon, Dundalk and Dublin.
A keen historian, he was a founding member of numerous associations including the Branty BARD community development association in 1983 along with his wife Bridget. In 1985 he also established O'Neill Country Historical society, and was an ever-present member on the committee since its inception.
Mr McAnallen was also the driving force behind the Eglish Historical Society which produced a 500-page book of Eglish in 2011 and he also designed the Eglish Heritage Trails.
Paying tribute to their founding member, a spokesperson for the O'Neill Country Historical society said in a statement: "It is with deep regret that we learned of the passing of Brendan McAnallen this morning. Brendan was the founding member, that set up the O'Neill Country Historical Society back in 1985, a family man, founder of The Cormac Trust, businessman and Historian he will be sadly missed by us all, we offer our sympathies to his family Bridget and to his sons Donal and Fergus, his daughter-in-law Pauline and grandchildren and friends."
Following the sudden passing of his son, Tyrone GAA captain Cormac, at the age of 24, the McAnallen family led by Brendan campaigned tirelessly for awareness around SADs (sudden arrhythmic death syndrome) establishing The Cormac Trust in his memory.
Brendan's son Donal continued in the sporting legacy left by his brother and also won an All-Ireland with Tyrone last November as part of the victorious Masters side that defeated Dublin.
Eglish GAA Chairperson Brian Murtagh extended his sympathies to the McAnallen family.
He told Belfast Live: "Our condolences go out to the McAnallen family, his wife Bridget and sons Fergus and Donal, who is our Cultural Officer and committee member. Brendan was a great supporter of the club and always attended the AGM and provided sponsorship over the years.
"He was a driving force in the distribution of defibrillators to clubs across the country in the wake of Cormac's death and worked tirelessly raising awareness and funds for that very worthwhile cause."
Paying tribute to Mr McAnallen, Community First Responders in Armagh and Tyrone said he was a 'driving force in the concept of the community group.
They said: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Mr Brendan McAnallen, Tullygiven, Brantry.
"Brendan was a major driving force in the concept and formulation of Community first responders Armagh and Tyrone. The McAnallen family had suffered the loss of their beloved son Cormac owing to SADS or "Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome" It was thought at the time that if a trained person with a defibrillator had have been on hand then the outcome for Cormac may have been better.
"Brendan worked tirelessly to improve access to heart condition diagnostic tests and formed The Cormac trust which raised huge amounts of money to supply sporting clubs and venues with defibrillators, all of which has saved many lives throughout the Island of Ireland .
"We at CFRA&T will always remember Brendan as a kind, generous and compassionate gentleman. May he rest in peace."
Dúiche Neíll Hurling Club, Benburb also paid tribute to Brendan, who was also a founding member. They have cancelled all club activity this week as a mark of respect.
A spokesperson said: "Brendan alongside his son Fergus have been a part of the Dúiche Neíll community since it was formed back in 2016. Brendan and the McAnallen family continued their support in being the clubs main sponsor from 2016 and assisting the club in any way possible.
"Brendan had a great passion for the hurling club and was always proud of the success of the club and players throughout the years. He was a driving force behind the club's development.
"Brendan will be remembered with fondness and greatly missed by the Dúiche Neíll Club and the wider Benburb community as well as those who were fortunate to have known him.
"To his wife Bridgid, sons Donal and Fergus, our esteemed treasurer, daughter-in-law Pauline and the wider McAnallen family circle, we at the club extend our deepest sympathy on the loss of a true gentlemen and a dedicated Gael. In respect to the McAnallen family all club activities have been cancelled this week. "
Funeral and wake arrangements are set to be announced later.
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