Teenager (19) who drowned at Leitrim festival named locally
Sean Ryan
A long-running music festival in Co Leitrim turned tragic on Saturday night after a teenager drowned at the event.
The teenager has been named locally as Alan Creamer (19) from Rooskeynamona, Mohil, County Leitrim.
It is believed Creamer fell into the nearby canal while attending the Ballinamore Family Festival.
The incident is understood to be treated as a tragic accident. As a mark of respect, the planned fireworks display to mark the final day of the Ballinamore Family has been cancelled. Alan is survived by his mother, Carmel, father, John, his sister Chloe and his extended family.
In a tribute posted on rip.ie his family said ''It is with heavy hearts, we share the sudden, tragic loss of our beloved Alan.
Alan left us far too soon. His bright smile and kind heart will stay with us forever''. No funeral arrangements have been announced as yet.
The Ballinmore Festival has run in County Leitrim for over 60 years and normally runs between the 9th and 16th of August.
The festival contains free open-air concerts and is famous for nightly concerts on the Main Street platform, featuring top Irish acts such as Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, Sean Magee, and Johnny Brady.
In a statement on the tragedy, festival organisers said ‘’the Ballinamore Family Festival committee is deeply saddened by the tragic events in Ballinamore on Saturday night, August 15th. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected and with everyone who is hurting at this very difficult time. Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and respect at this time’’.
The tragedy is the second drowning in the area in as many days.
James Fanthorpe McHugh lost his life on Tuesday, August 11th, when he fell into the water at the Annalee River in nearby Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.
It is believed McHugh was fishing when he fell in and got into difficulty in the water.
His Requiem Mass took place on Saturday, 15th August, in St. Anne's Church, Bailieborough, followed by interment in St. Anne's Cemetery.
