Mick Weafer was principal of Selskar College and an integral part of Enniscorthy’s Shamrocks GAA club
The principal of Selskar College in Wexford Town, the 41-year-old was also a former guidance counsellor in St Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy and a much-loved former principal of Kennedy College in New Ross, who said that his legacy and kindness would leave a lasting impact on the school.
“Mick left a lasting legacy in Kennedy College and will always be fondly remembered by the whole school community who were lucky to spend time with him,” they said.
He also acted as Chairman of the Blackstairs Community Playschool and was instrumental in providing the quality service to families around the area.
“Mick dedicated many years to the playschool as Chairman and he was an integral part of building the service that we have today. A team player to the last, and always available to lend a hand, Mick will be remembered fondly and greatly missed,” a representative added.
He also gave great support to the DreamBig Foundation, an organisation that aims to provide support for people with disabilities or those in need due to disability, age or health.
Chairperson Teresa Carr Buckley explained how he had been involved from the very beginning.
“Mick was part of the first meeting of the DreamBig foundation in March 2022. He helped by accommodating us with our youth club and giving us a place. On a personal note I had a lot of dealings with Mick regarding my son Pierce, Mick was a great advocate for Pierce and to all the students in the Eden class. He will be a huge loss to his students and staff in Selskar College Wexford,” she said.
Besides being a role model in education, he was heavily dedicated to the Enniscorthy Shamrocks GAA as a captain and a formidable player on the pitch.
The club issued a touching tribute describing him as not just a commanding leader, but a loyal best friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Mick led them through thick and thin and was a guiding light for the team, culminating in an unforgettable back-to-back championship victories of 2013 and 2014. He was also their captain during their Leinster GAA Club Hurling League win in 2010, which is regarded as another proud moment in the club’s history.
The Shamrocks captain Mick Weafer lifts the trophy in the Leinster GAA Club Hurling League Division 2 Final, Shamrocks, Enniscorthy, v Lucan Sarsfields, Dublin, Nowlan Park, Kilkenny in May 2010. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
“As a captain, he set the standard at every training session; whether it was a wet Tuesday night in February with only a handful of players, or the height of summer in the middle of the championship, one thing was always certain: Mick would be there, and Mick would be leading,” they said.
“No one could ever match Mick’s grit, determination, and sheer love for our club. His pre-match talks often reminded us of the bonds we had built in Fr Murphy Park. To Mick, the Shamrocks were a true band of brothers; no matter how tough things looked, as long as we backed each other, we always has a fighting chance. Ironically, the reason we always had a fighting chance was the standards he had set year in year out. He also drilled into us a lesson that carried far beyond the pitch, that work would always win when wishing wouldn’t,” they explained.
They described how outside of the pitch and the classroom, he was still a natural leader who inspired passion and determination in others.
“He was so much more than a player. To many of us, he was a best friend, a teammate, and a constant source of inspiration. He also gave tirelessly to the club off the field. Mick served on the committee in many different roles, always focused on the progression of the Shamrocks and still somehow found time to train underage teams, passing on his passion and values to the next generation. Ensuring that future generations of players would share in the joy and pride of representing Shamrocks,” they added.
As a mark of respect, they are suspending activities and closing their grounds until after his funeral on Saturday, August 23.
“Mick was, and will always be, a true son of Vinegar Hill. His impact on the Shamrocks GAA Club can never be replaced or forgotten. His spirit will live on every time we take to the field in green and white,” they said.
Loved ones also took to RIP.ie to leave condolences and memories of his kindness and gentleman reputation.
One mourner wrote: “I had the pleasure of working with him, and I will always remember him as a principal and a person who genuinely cared for his students and colleagues. Mick was consistently kind, considerate, and generous with his time. His dedication left a lasting impact on everyone around him, and I feel fortunate to have known and worked alongside him.”
Mick Weafer Captain of the Shamrocks with his proud mam Moira pictured in 2014
Another wrote: “Mick was one of life’s very special people. His list of good qualities were endless. When Daddy was in hospital for his heart by-pass Mick went every single morning before college to bring him a paper and chat all things GAA. To know him was to love him. And to be loved by him was a gift.”
Another comment read: “Mick was a kind and approachable coach and a huge loss to the teams who were lucky to have had him on board. He had a word for all and we’ll be forever grateful for how kind he was to our child.”
A further tribute read: “Thank you for your kindness, time and support through a very difficult time for me as a teenager. I’ll never forget it and am very grateful, your words have stayed with through adulthood.”
Beloved husband of Eimear, and adored father of Leah and Danny, he was a dear son of Myra and Joe and son-in-law of Ollie and Kay. Much loved brother of Eddie, Jo, Pa and Anne Marie and cherished uncle to all his nieces and nephews, he will be deeply missed by his brother and sister-in-laws, his uncles and aunts, cousins, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.