
Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
- Seanie_Morris
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Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully was created by Seanie_Morris
Details of his funeral are as follows:
The late Michael Scully of Mounthawk Manor, Tralee and formerly of Kanturk, Cork. Reposing at his residence in Mounthawk Manor on Wednesday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Removal at 5.30pm Wednesday to Our Lady & St. Brendan’s Church. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 11am. Interment afterwards in Réalt na Mara Cemetery, Churchill. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, care of the Gleasure Funeral Home.
All our thoughts and prayers are with Michae's family at this sad time.
Seanie Morris,
IFAS Chairperson.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
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- Seanie_Morris
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Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
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- ftodonoghue
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Replied by ftodonoghue on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
Michael traveled from Tralee to Killarney to meet me and brought his 8.75" dob with him and proceeded to show me Saturn through a telescope for the first time. I was hooked. This was the first of many nights spent together under the stars or at lecture theaters with Kerry Astronomy Club.
As Seanie mentioned, Michael updated the website and his reports and images of our observing sessions, particularly from the earlier years of the club now have a poignancy that was never intended.
Michael's passion for astronomy and outreach was infectious and allied with his knowledge, generosity and patience, helped many of us on our journey under the stars. It is sad to think that we will not get to share time at the eyepiece again.
Kerry Astronomy Club held an observing session on the 29th of December and unfortunately I didn't get to make it, but Michael did, and it is satisfying to know that he got to spend time with Comet Lovejoy, the moon and some other targets that night before he passed on.
A quick look at Kerry Astronomy clubs website will show that Michael was responsible for the majority of images, reports and other content. This commitment and his stint as Club chairman and IFAS rep, stand as testament to his passion and enthusiasm for astronomy.
I will miss him. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
RIP and Clear Skies.
Trevor
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- johnomahony
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- Super Giant
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Replied by johnomahony on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
My condolences to his family and friends at this tragic time
www.flickr.com/photos/7703127@N07/
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- Paddy Stack
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Replied by Paddy Stack on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
His passing is a massive blow to the club. We will honour his memory by continuing the work he started.
Sincerely,
Paddy Stack.
Chairman (Kerry Astronomy Club)
kerryastronomyclub.com
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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
Michael was a gentleman. Knowledgeable, softly spoken and always generous with his time.
I always looked forward to meeting him at the star parties and I can remember some spectacular views through his dob, which he built himself.
My condolences to his family, friends and club mates.
Ar ais de go raibh a anam.
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- dave_lillis
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Replied by dave_lillis on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
I can remember Michael many year back when he was a member of SAC, at the time he built the clubs first website and was very patient and generous with his time regarding it and observing nights. Michael was also very generous in his help with the WSP in Birr. One event will always stick in my mind while observing at the WSP and it was the views of Saturn he showed me through his dob, one of thee best views I ever had of the planet.
He was a tour de force in the club and was a loss when he moved to Kerry, but we were delighted when he concentrated his efforts in KAC and the club there flourished from his work.
I've included a pic of him here from the 2008 WSP chatting with other attendies at the dinner (center).
He will be sorely missed.
Chairman. Shannonside Astronomy Club (Limerick)
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me,
but what a way to go.

+ 12"LX200, MK67, Meade2045, 4"refractor
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- Keith g
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Replied by Keith g on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
RIP.
Keith..
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- KevinSmith
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- john5
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Replied by john5 on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
Condolences to his family from all in Cork
John
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- michael_murphy
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Replied by michael_murphy on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
Condolences to his family from all in the IAS.
Michael.
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- stevie
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Replied by stevie on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
Sincerest condolences to all his family and friends from all at NIAAS.
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- Conn Buckley
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Replied by Conn Buckley on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
As already said here his qualities of quiet generosity and helpfulness were outstanding and in the true spirit of Astronomy.
When he went to Kerry he still kept in contact with SAC by participating in the Club subscription for S&T and was first in with his annual sub.
One particular memory of Michael I recall was that at one WSP we were all observing from the grounds of Birr Castle when an unidentifiable ‘patch’ was spotted in the sky. Many theories were offered and it was talked about at subsequent WSP’s. Michael had the presence of mind to sketch this object and preserve it in his observing log.
My condolences to Michael’s family, friends and all those in KAC.
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- Paul Evans
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Replied by Paul Evans on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
On behalf of all of us in the IAA, sincere condolences to family, friends and all in KAC.
Paul.
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- Roy Stewart
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Replied by Roy Stewart on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
at this time.. RIP Michael, and may you find your place among the stars.
Regards
Roy Stewart
Skywatcher 200pds & HEQ5 PRO Mount , 15x70 Astro Revelation binos.. EP's SW 38mm 2" Panaview- SW 30mm 2" Aero- SW 26mm 2"Panaview.. 2" UHC filter-2" OIII filter.
www.twitter.com/Roydeboy33
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- nectarine
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Replied by nectarine on topic Tragic news: reach for the stars, Michael Scully
IFAS Treasurer
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