Musical farewell planned for one of Castleblayney's finest talents
Henry McMahon, Mainliner, band leader, songwriter, manager and 'generous, kind human being' has passed away.
CASTLEBLAYNEY has lost another of its musical greats with the passing of Henry McMahon on Sunday.
A founding member of The Mainliners, which was later led by his Castleblyaney friend, Big Tom, Henry McMahon touched the careers of so many Irish country music stars as a manager and mentor and also as the writer of many well-known hits.
Penning songs such as 0The GNR Steam Train for Big Tom, Way Back Then for Philomena Begley and The Marquee in Drumlish for Declan Nearney means Henry McMahon's legacy will long live on.
He leaves behind his wife, Esther, and their daughter, Karen, son-in-law, Gerry, and two 'adored' grandchildren as well as his Mainliners family and 'many friends from both his private and public life'.
Henry Arthur, as his family refer to him, died on Sunday, May 31 surrounded by his loved ones.
Last year, he and the other members of the Mainliners band received the Freedom of Castleblayney in recognition of the contribution they made to their Co Monaghan hometown.
Friend and collaborator for 60 years, Margo, said the world has lost an "absolute true gem". She said friends are already working together on finding the most fitting music for their friend's final journey.
It was Henry who planned the music for Big Tom's funeral in 2018.
Henry Arthur will repose at Ward's Funeral Home, Ballybay (A75 H585), on Wednesday from 1pm until 8pm.
His funeral cortège will proceed on foot from the Big Tom Statue, Castleblayney, on Thursday morning at 11:30am to arrive at St. Mary’s Church, Castleblayney, for funeral mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The family home is strictly private at all times, by request of the immediate family.
“I don’t think people realise the talent we have lost in Henry,” a tearful Margo told the 'Celt, “The likes of Henry McMahon will never be seen again," she said.
“I’ve known Henry for 60 years and in all that time we never had words about anything – just stories and craic,” Margo said.
Other stars from the Irish music country scene paid their own online tributes. Each of them said Henry McMahon was a great talent and gentleman.
Michael English said he believes his career would not have taken off without Henry McMahon.
"First and foremost he was a real gentleman," Michael English said, "He was also a genius in every way and started my career when he wrote The Nearest to Perfect for me. I honestly believe that I wouldn’t be in show business today without him and that song."
Robert Mizzell, for whom Henry McMahon wrote Mamma Courtney posted: "We mourn the loss of a legend Henry McMahon, he gave us so many musical gifts. Mamma Courtney never met you but tonight you are together in heaven."
"A manager, band leader, musician, songwriter, but most of all Henry McMahon was a kind, gentle, generous and genuine human being," Gerry Guthrie said of his friend and manager.
"What luck, to have met this remarkable man and have him in my life for so many great years.
"We will miss the stories, the jokes, the laughs… we will miss Henry, but we will never forget him."