Game of Thrones actor Michael Patrick spoke openly about his battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) before his death at the age of 35.
Michael’s death was announced via Instagram on April 8, 2026, by his wife Naomi Sheehanwho shared that her husband – whom she affectionately called “Mick” – succumbed to the neurodegenerative disease after 10 days in a hospice in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (According to the Mayo Clinic, MND affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and gradually weakens the muscles that control speech, swallowing and limb movement.)
“[Mick] he was accepted [to hospice] 10 days ago and it is maintained by an amazing team there. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends. “Words cannot describe how broken our hearts are,” Sheehan wrote.
Patrick was an actor and playwright who appeared in a Game of Thrones season 6 episode as Wildling. He also used his battle with MND as inspiration for his hit show My Right Footwhich explored how he coped with being diagnosed with the same disease that killed his father.
Keep scrolling to find out more about what Patrick had to say about his diagnosis.
Michael Patrick Noticed Growing Symptoms
Michael Patrick explained on the “Brain and Life” podcast in January 2026 that he began to wonder if something was wrong while performing at the Dublin Fringe festival in late 2022.
“I had to dance to it and I kept falling, tripping over my shoes,” he recalled. “I kept blaming my shoes, I kept saying, ‘Why did they make me dance in these big shoes? But it didn’t get any better.”
Michael was advised by his wife’s aunt to get tested because of his family history of MND. When Michael saw his doctors, he could no longer “lift [his] right foot” and “couldn’t point [his] toes on the roof.”
He was officially diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in February 2023.
Michael Patrick’s father died of MND
I This city the actor looked back on his initial reaction to the diagnosis when he spoke to RTE in August 2025. Michael Patrick naturally wondered how long he would live as his father died of MND.
“My father was diagnosed in February and died that October,” Michael recalled. “There wasn’t much time with him. I’m thinking, ‘Am I going to be with him [die] in October?’ Thank you, I never.”
He shared on the “Brain and Life” podcast that his family “seems to be the only one in Ireland with a gene” for the rare form of MND.
“I have the familial FUS MND gene of the four genes known to cause MND and familial MND. The other is the FUS gene,” he explained. “I think it’s one of the rarest of the four.”
Michael Patrick Participated in Drug Clinical Trials
In September 2023, Michael Patrick was accepted into a drug trial for a possible treatment for MND. The initial results were promising as he “saw the first change in symptoms” within weeks of the trial.
“I can now move my right foot [and] toes for the first time in almost two years. It’s a little bit,” he told the “Brain and Life” podcast in January 2026. “And my breathing is still going without having to get a tracheotomy, and my arm is still getting weaker, but the truth is there’s some regression there, which is really exciting.”
He praised the “level of care and support” he has received from his medical team since the trial began.
Michael Patrick’s Friends and Family Join in Support
After Michael Patrick’s MND diagnosis, his friends and family set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for the special care that comes with getting a tracheostomy. (Patrick’s doctors recommended that he get a tracheostomy — surgery to open up his airway — to help with his breathing.)
The fundraising appeal has raised over £110,000 against the £100k target, as of publication.
“Everyone was amazing,” he said on the “Brain and Life” podcast. “I have a great support network with my family and my wife. I got married two days before I started my drug trial, so it’s amazing. My friends at school just raised £100,000 through a GoFundMe account to support me and stuff. So I have a lot of support. Family and friends are really amazing and I can’t thank you enough.”
Michael Patrick Gives Health Update In Weeks Before His Death
Michael Patrick revealed via Instagram in February 2026 that he had been told by his neurologist that “it’s possible [had] about one year left.” He spent “more than a week” in hospital discussing the practicalities of going ahead with tracheostomy treatment.
“In short, I am not continuing with the tracheostomy,” he announced. “I have been assured that it will be 6-12 months before I can return home due to the lack of resources. I am very grateful to everyone who helped push this – from senior social workers, politicians, to the head of the hospital. Everyone tried hard, but there are no workers.”
Michael decided he didn’t want to “risk valuable time” in hospital if he was in the final stages of MND.
“I’m so grateful for all the donations on GoFundMe, even though I didn’t go ahead with the tracheostomy – it will continue to provide me with exceptional care as I enter the final stages of life. I’m still overwhelmed by all of your kindness,” he concluded.
Michael died on April 7, 2026, after being admitted to the Northern Ireland Hospice for 10 days.
