Irish man pays heartfelt tribute to twin brother who passed away a year after cancer diagnosis

Tributes have been paid to a decorated historian, author and academic with a “brilliant mind” who passed away, aged 32, after a long battle with cancer. 

Dr Alan McCarthy PhD from Limerick-Cork border town Charleville passed away on Sunday, August 18, following a lymphoma cancer diagnosis in July 2023, which he bore with “unwavering strength, dignity and grace”.

Mr McCarthy was a distinguished historian, with his third book due to be published in the coming months, which celebrates the 100 year history of Cork city sports. 

His twin brother Barry said that while he published two books before, this final publication will be Mr McCarthy’s “special legacy”, as it was finalised this week. 

“He dealt with his illness courageously and was always in good form. He got his primary treatment in UHL (University Hospital Limerick). 

“He always enjoyed the simple pleasures of life right up to the end, whether that be nice coffee or exploring a museum.”

As well as being an award-winning academic, Mr McCarthy was described by many as a “true gent”, with a “natural wit” and “infectious personality”, and was a well-known social butterfly.

“He was always full of fun and was the life and soul of the party,” Barry said.

“We celebrated our 32nd birthday together recently. My own friends who would have known Al always said he was a true gentleman and he was hilarious, he had a natural wit, which he didn’t lose throughout his illness.”

Also described as the “ultimate family man”, Mr McCarthy was the adored husband of Sarah (neé Ryan) from Bulgaden, near Kilmallock in Co Limerick.

Mr McCarthy and his wife Sarah lived in Bulgaden briefly, before buying their house earlier this year in Mallow, Co Cork.

Mr McCarthy is the beloved son of Pat and Berna (also Bulgaden) and the most wonderful brother to Barry, Lyn, Emer and Don.

Barry said his twin brother was “massively into sport” and was an avid Munster rugby fan. 

He played hurling, football and was a goalie in soccer for Limerick county teams at a young age. He was also a pillar of his school communities, both growing up and when he reached university. 

“Alan helped found the school library in the secondary school in Charleville CBS. He also played on the school hurling team, quiz team, debating team and was on the student council,” Barry said.

“Thinking back to our college days in UCC (University College Cork), Alan nailed his experience there because he was placing first in all his exams but equally, he embraced the social side of things to a great extent as well. 

“He had a really well-rounded experience in UCC and I think that’s why he didn’t really leave it because as soon as he finished his undergraduate, he went on to do a Masters and PhD, which he got at the age of 26.”

From there, he went straight into tutoring at the School of History in UCC. He was also a tour guide in the Michael Collins Museum in Clonakilty. 

One person wrote on RIP: “As Alan's supervisor for his doctorate, but more importantly his friend, I was shocked beyond words to hear the news. My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of a brilliant young man.”

Mr McCarthy is being laid to rest in Charleville this Wednesday after funeral Mass from 1pm.