The tragic death of Ballinderreen boy Mark Fordham has shocked and saddened the tight knit south Galway communities of Ballinderreen, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, and Ardrahan. The seven-year-old lost his life following an accident in the yard of his home in Keamsella on Saturday morning.
The youngster was the beloved only son of Donal and Patricia Fordham, who are extremely well known in the area due to their potato growing business. The Fordham family are highly respected members of the local community, with many in awe of their hard-working nature. Poignantly, Mark was helping out with potato grading when the unfortunate incident occurred.
Prayers were said for the seven-year-old at a number of Masses in south Galway over the weekend, and hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects at a removal from the family home on Monday afternoon. Mark Fordham was laid to rest in Drumacoo Cemetery on Tuesday.
The deceased was a second class pupil at Kilternan National School and acting principal Bríd Fenlon said the school community was understandably devastated and Mark would be hugely missed. “This is a terrible tragedy for the Fordham and extended family, our school, and our community. We are deeply saddened by this event. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Mark’s family and friends. Mark will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to have known him. Our school has implemented our critical incident management plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS ) have supported and advised our staff at this time.”
Mark Fordham is survived by his doting parents Donal and Patricia, grandparents Tillie, Julia and Brendan, uncles and aunts, cousins and his many relatives, friends and neighbours. Ar dheis de go raibh a ainm dilis.
+The Fordham family requested that in lieu of flowers at Mark’s funeral, donations could be made to the Chernobyl Children’s Trust. To make a donation, visit www.chernobylchildrenstrust.ie/donate
