“Where’s the Good in Goodbye?” – remembering Mark Sheehan
On Friday, April 14, 2023, Liberties local and guitarist-songwriter for Irish rock band The Script, Mark Sheehan, passed away in hospital following a short period of an undisclosed illness at the age of 46.
Having grown up in Mount Brown, Sheehan was a beloved husband, father and performer by both those who knew him personally and fans of his music.
His passing was announced via the band’s Twitter, with a statement saying: “Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness. The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
The announcement of Sheehan’s passing was met with sadness from both his friends and fans from across the world.
Several prominent Irish musicians and bands shared their condolences on Twitter such as Kodaline.
“So sorry to hear the passing of Mark Sheehan! We had the great fortune of getting to spend time in his company over the years and was always such a lovely man! Deepest condolences to his family and his ‘The Script’ brothers.”
Kodaline’s Twitter statement.
Fellow Liberties local, Irish musician and friend of Sheehan, Imelda May, also took to Twitter to express her sadness and condolences at the news of his passing.
“I’m in shock. An old comrade and fellow proud Liberties child has gone. What a talented, funny, sound, calm, down to earth, really lovely human Mark was. Truly awful news. I send huge love to his family, friends and band family Glen and Danny.”
Imelda May’s Twitter statement.
Aindreas Fallon Verbruggen, 20, has been a long-term fan of The Script. “I’ve been a fan of The Script since I was around 12 and I was shocked, it felt so unexpected that someone so talented would pass so soon. The lyrics sung by Mark were always the lyrics that tapped into the deeper emotions of the song. His verse on ‘Make Up’ always touched me, especially the line, ‘You’re not a screw up, boy, no more hiding away’, would bring me to tears,” he said.
His talent both in voice, and instrument, completed the emotional core of every track and it made you want to listen to it over and over again.”
Fallon Verbruggen
The Script was founded back in 2001 by Sheehan alongside fellow friends and band mates Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Power.
From 2010 until 2019, The Script managed to reach the highest number one albums in the UK for any Irish artist or musician.
Sheehan wrote 32 of The Script’s songs, including their number one hit, ‘Hall of Fame’ which included a Will.i.am feature back in 2012.
In a statement following the news of Sheehan’s passing, President Michael D. Higgins said: “While Mark will be missed by so many, it is his family who will of course experience the greatest loss. May I extend my deepest sympathies to Mark’s wife Rina, to his children Cameron, Avery, Lil and Bria, to his bandmates in The Script, and to all his family and friends.”
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