Tributes have been paid following the death of well-known Waterford costume designer and businesswoman, Blánaid MacCann.
Ms MacCann, who lived in Dunmore East and was originally from St Luke’s in Cork city, died yesterday.
She was best known as the co-founder of Nomac Productions, a successful costume creation and design business, which she established with the late Cathy Nolan in 1988.
For almost 40 years, Ms MacCann was synonymous with the theatre and entertainment scene in Waterford and beyond, providing costumes for productions and events across the country.
She was heavily involved with many different groups throughout her career, including Waterford Panto Society since its foundation.
Ms MacCann also recently received the Waterford News and Star Green Room Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to the arts.
Earlier this year, Nomac Productions was among the several businesses that were destroyed in a major fire at Tycor in Waterford city.
The business hired out costumes for use in theatres, films and musicals across Ireland.
Waterford costumer designer Blánaid Mac Cann lost thousands of costumes during a fire
Ms MacCann said as many as 50,000 costumes stored at the premises – with some dating back to 1921 – were lost in the fire at the business centre back in May.
Speaking to RTÉ News at the time, Ms MacCann said: “I think I have run my course on that now.
“Unfortunately, I mean, I love the business, but you couldn’t get the styles, the vintage for all the productions we do across the board. They are all so different.”
Jenna Fleming from Nomac Productions said as a company, they want to remember Ms MacCann for all of the “wonderful times, the laughter, the memories and the incredible moments” down through the years.
Ms Fleming said: “There was never anything too big or too small in show business that Blánaid couldn’t do.
“She would never let anyone down. Even if a show was happening that very day, Blánaid would be there, ready to pull out her fabulous costumes and work her magic.
“She was a woman who would never say no and who always went above and beyond for everyone.
“Blánaid had a deep love for every costume she created throughout her 38 years of dedication, hard work and passion.”
“Theatre was such a huge part of her life, and her talent, generosity and commitment to the stage will never be forgotten,” Ms Fleming said.
Waterford Panto Society has said it is deeply saddened by Ms MacCann’s death but that her legacy will live on.
In a post on social media, the society said: “Blánaid served as our Costume Mistress for an incredible 24 years, sharing her talent, dedication and love of panto with generations of performers.
“Her generosity extended far beyond those years, as she shared her wonderful costumes with us for over 40 years, helping bring so many magical characters and productions to life on our stage.
“Her contribution to Waterford Panto Society is immeasurable, and her legacy will live on in the countless memories, costumes and performances she helped create.”
Ms MacCann is survived by her husband Liam, sons David, Neill and Eoin, daughters Aoife, Bebhinn and Gráinne, and her wider circle of family and friends.
Her funeral mass will take place in the Holy Cross Church, Killea, Dunmore East on Monday afternoon.