Born into a medical lineage on October 25th, 1936, Conor McCarthy went on to establish himself as a pivotal personality in Ireland’s first coronary artery surgery unit at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. He was central to the evolution of interventional cardiology in Ireland.
As a child, with the fields of east Galway as his playground, the young Conor led an idealic childhood characterised by a passion for sport and an affinity for the outdoors. His fundamental academic foundation was laid down at the Hill School Sligo, a school where his grandfather, Francis J Broderick, served as the headmaster. Later, he continued his education at Creagh national school in Ballinasloe.
In 1948, Conor’s academic journey led him to Clongowes Wood College, wherein his impressive academic achievements were complemented by remarkable triumphs in sports. Rugby and athletics were among the avenues where Conor exhibited his prowess, as evidenced by his leading Clongowes to emerge victorious in the Leinster Junior Cup in 1952. He also held the distinction of being the all-Ireland and Leinster Schools discus champion in 1954.
In 1954, he entered UCD medical school, managing to excel both academically and in sports, despite sustaining a shoulder injury that compelled him to abandon his athletic endeavours. He made significant strides in pole vault, javelin, shot, and discus events.
Conor’s astonishing medical journey continued at St Vincent’s under the expert guidance of Professors Patrick and Oliver FitzGerald in surgery and medicine, respectively. Following this, he collaborated with Dr GW Pennington at Trinity College Dublin for a research fellowship. Together, they made a significant breakthrough by developing an innovative immunologically-based pregnancy test, which resulted in numerous published papers in international journals and ultimately earned him an MSc.
In 1963, he took up a position as a cardiology registrar at the Mater, followed by advanced cardiology training both at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Saint Mary’s Hospital in London. During this period, he secured memberships from the British and Irish medical boards and was the recipient of an MD degree. The registrar, who was then based in England, wedded Dale Parry, but the marriage eventually concluded in divorce.
By 1973, he held the title of a consultant cardiologist and cardiac physiologist at the Mater. Thanks to his contributions, the cardiac catheterisation facilities were greatly developed and primed for the coronary surgery programme. In 1975, he was awarded a European travelling fellowship, which allowed him to visit medical centres in several cities including London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Munich.
The cardiac unit at the Mater, to which he held membership, became globally acknowledged for its outstanding services in cardiology and cardiac surgical care. Besides coronary artery surgery, this group introduced advanced cardiac treatments including percutaneous trans-catheter angioplasty, stenting and ultimately, heart transplantation. Most upcoming cardiologists honed their fundamental interventional cardiology skills in his catheter lab.
Meanwhile, he also kept up an active private practice in cardiology at the Blackrock Clinic. He spent many joyful years alongside his second spouse, Gerardine Treacy. In 2001, Conor retired and often peacefully cruised on his boat on the Shannon River.
Known as a reserved and somewhat introverted man, Conor was nevertheless sociable. Every year, his and Gerardine’s St Stephen’s Day celebration was a much-anticipated event for family and friends. The couple’s dinner gatherings entertained a diverse group, including figures from the medical field, economists, artists and several Clongowes Old Boys.
He was known for his humility, kindness and compassion. Those fortunate to have witnessed Conor in his professional capacity will recall an exceptional clinician who fused his skills with unfailing civility and empathy. He was an extraordinary physician and, as I can personally attest, an extraordinary leader.
In 2010, a significant fall and an unusual severe reaction to medication resulted in his unfortunate permanent hospitalisation.
His sibling, Ciaran, sadly passed before him, while his wife Gerardine, along with his brother, Donald and sister, Geraldine are left to mourn his passing. Patrick, his brother-in-law, as well as his sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Ann, feel his absence deeply. His nieces and nephews – Mary Rose, Conor, Myles, Justin, Gerard, Patrick, Hilda, Aoife, Conor, and Joseph, are left with fond memories of him.