80th anniversary of death of John Count McCormack

The 80th anniversary of the passing of one of Athlone's most famous sons - world famous tenor John Count McCormack - took place this week.

His death at the age of 61 on September 16, 1945, was mourned across the world and received significant media coverage at the time. The 80th anniversary is set to be marked in Athlone this month with a performance by tenor Ross Scanlon at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on September 27, with opening words from David Count McCormack.

An article in the Westmeath Independent on September 22, 1945, states that John Count McCormack had passed away at his residence in Booterstown, Co. Dublin, on Sunday, September 16, at the age of 61, with Countess and his son Cyril at his bedside.

"By his death, Ireland has lost a distinguished son - one who shed lustre on his native land no matter where he went," the article stated.

It detailed how Count McCormack was born at The Bawn and spent his early education in Marist Brothers school Athlone before being educated at Summerhill College, Sligo. It reported how he studied under one of the great Italian masters, Signor Sabattini, for almost three years and that he had more than once said that he had never heard a voice more beautiful than McCormack's.

"McCormack's place in the world of song will rank with the highest in this or any preceding generation," the article continued.

It referenced the Papal honours he received and described how he had sang for half a million people in the Phoenix Park at the Eucharistic Congress in 1932.

"Hundreds of messages of sympathy were received at his home where Count McCormack lay in state in the colourful full-dress of a Papal Count," the article continued.

It added that one of the first messages of sympathy had come from the widow of famed Italian singer Enrici Caruso, Dorothy Caruso of New Jersey, who cabled: "No one in this world understands how you feel tonight better than I do. I wish I could be with you. My heart yearns for you."

Her daughter, Gloria Caruso Murray, also cabled a message of sympathy. The article adds that other messages were received from President O'Kelly, Papal Nuncio Most Rev. Dr Paschal Robinson, the Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev. Dr McQuaid, Italian Minister Baron Confalonieri and Sir John Maffey, British representative to Ireland. It states that callers to the house included Mr de Valera, Mr and Mrs McEntee, Mr and Mrs Aiken, Mr WT Cosgrove, Mr Kearney - High Commissioner for Canada, and Mrs D. Gray, wife of the US minister.

Attendance at his funeral, as reported in the Westmeath Independent, included the President, the Taoiseach, members of the government and opposition, the judiciary, foreign diplomats, Army, Garda Síochána and public bodies.

The same issue of the newspaper reports on a vote of sympathy being passed by Athlone Urban District Council. The motion of sympathy was proposed by Mr W. Walsh, who stated at the Count was of outstanding character. Chairman P. Lenihan stated that Count McCormack had created a great name for Ireland.

"The vote was passed in silence, with members standing as a mark of respect," the article states.

John Count McCormack will be remembered in his native Athlone on Saturday, September 27, with 'An Evening with Count McCormack' at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. Tenor Ross Scanlon will bring his acclaimed tribute to John Count McCormack to Athlone with an evening of song and story, featuring such classics as 'I hear you calling me', 'Macushla', 'Roses of Picardy' and many more.