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A light went out too quickly.
Michael Patrick, an Irish actor recognized for his work on stage and in television, died after a three-year fight with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), according to his wife Naomi Sheehan on social media. He was 35.
In an April 8 post, Naomi stated that Michael "passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends" after ten days in the hospital, adding, "Words can't describe how broken-hearted we are."
MND includes numerous neurological illnesses, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in which the body's motor neurons degenerate prematurely, causing problems breathing, swallowing, talking, and walking. There is currently no cure.
"It's been remarked more than often," Naomi said in her tribute, "that Mick was an inspiration to everyone who was fortunate enough to come into contact with him, not just in the last few years throughout his illness, but every day of his life." He lived the fullest life that any human being can. Joy, wealth of energy, contagious laughter. "A giant with ginger hair."
She thanked everyone who had helped her and Michael in the years since his diagnosis before sharing a quote from Irish poet Brendan Behan that she said was her husband's favorite.
"The most important things in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink, and someone to love you," she recalled. “So, don’t overthink it. Eat. Drink. Love.”
In addition to his theatrical career as a Shakespearean actor, Michael has starred in television shows such as Blue Lights, This Town, Blasts from the Past, and an episode of Game of Thrones Season 6.
He also co-authored and starred in the BBC series My Left Nut, which was based on a one-man play he wrote about his adolescent years when he was concerned he had testicular cancer.
And, similar to that experience, upon his diagnosis in 2023, Mickey funneled his emotions into a second one-man stage show, My Right Foot—the location where he first felt weakness due to his MND.
In May 2025, Michael described the production as a "spiritual successor to My Left Nut," writing, "I should... be performing it at @lyricbelfast in October... as long as I'm not dead by then!”
