Model and actress Laura Whitmore dedicates ‘An Irish Hug’ to County Roscommon man
The late Andrew (Andy) McGrath was remembered earlier this week at a memorial service.
Two months after his passing, Lisacul native Andrew (Andy) McGrath has been left a touching tribute by his friend, media personality, model and actress Laura Whitmore.
Andy passed away in July at the age of 55 following a period of illness. He was laid to rest in Lisacul Cemetery on Monday, July 20th following Mass of the Resurrection in Christ The King, Church, Lisacul.
On Tuesday last Laura Whitmore posted pictures from a memorial held for Mr McGrath near the ITV Studios in London where the McGrath family was joined by Andy’s colleagues.
Ms Whitmore also posted a touching poem she wrote titled ‘An Irish Hug,’ dedicated to her late friend.
In the poem, the TV presenter described Andy as the “kindest of men,” and noted that he possessed “a warmth that filled the room.” Mr McGrath, from Cloonaholly, Lisacul moved to the UK over three decades, and in that time he became a popular figure in the media industry.
Initially, he worked in the Irish Embassy before working as an executive assistant for both ITV and ABC Entertainment.
A decade ago in November he took up the role of Head of the Chair’s Office with M+C Saatchi Talent, and four years later he became the Head of the Global Chair’s Office.
Presenters and sports figures such as Laura Whitmore, Harry Redknapp and Freddie Flintoff have all been associated with the talent group.
M+C Saatchi group released a touching statement at the time of Andy’s passing: “He (Andy) loved the buzz of the office, a night out, his Guinness, working the BAFTAs, House Festival and a good spritz of Jo Malone. He brough warmth into every day – even the hard ones.”
Andy’s sister, Fiona, described the memorial to her brother as “touching” and added: “It was an emotional day but a lovely day at the same time because we got to meet old colleagues and new colleagues from both ITV and M+C.”
Being the only boy amongst four sisters, Fiona said “it feels like the family chain has been broken since he passed.” A trip home to see his sisters, Anne, Stella, Linda and Fiona or his mother Kitty, was always just around the corner for Andy and his beloved nieces and nephews always awaited each return with excitement.
Linda took care of Andy in the UK during his illness, and so it was a lovely moment for the McGrath family when Linda’s youngest Chloe got to visit her uncle.
Predeceased by his father, Denis (Denny), grandparents, uncles and aunts. Andrew is sadly missed and remembered with love by his heartbroken family, his mother, Kitty; sisters, Anne (Tullamore), Stella (Rhode), Fiona (Lisacul) and Linda (Lisacul); brothers-in-law, Glen Flynn, Declan Mulvin, Edmond Cogan, and Christopher Burke; nieces and nephews, Aoife, Dylan, Darragh, Robbie, Abi, Lily May, Alice Jane, Luke and Chloe; aunt Maura and family New York, extended family, neighbours and many friends UK and Ireland.
