Ireland AM chef Joe Shannon dies following cancer battle

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family earlier today

Ireland AM chef Joe Shannon has died after being diagnosed wih terminal cancer. Picture: Chef Joe Shannon

TV chef Joe Shannon has died following a battle with cancer.

Shannon, who was in his late 50s and from Sligo, revealed last year he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at North West Hospice in Sligo. He is survived by his wife, Marie, his children Orla, Emer and Joseph, his grandchildren, and his brother and sisters.

His funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Shannon, who was a chef at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo, shared his terminal diagnosis with his colleagues Muireann O'Connell and Alan Hughes on Ireland AM last May, revealing his life expectancy “could be one year, it could be seven years.” 

Ireland AM chef Joe Shannon

Shannon was initially diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in March 2021 and began a course of chemotherapy, before they found a further tumour on his liver.

A few months after getting the all-clear, the cancer in his bowel returned. He underwent chemotherapy before his medical team informed him they could not cure his cancer.

He said he felt he had been "very lucky" in life saying; "I have had a fantastic life. Life owes me nothing." He added: “I'm not scared of death.” 

He urged viewers to get themselves checked if they feel something is wrong with their bodies.

"Go to your GP, get an appointment and get checked. Early prevention in any illness is key," he said.

O'Connell paid tribute to the chef on social media, saying "he was just so lovely to me even though I couldn't turn on a cooker".

"He was an all round fabulous person; He was kind and he had time for absolutely everyone and he was always smiling, even though there were days we could see he was in pain," she said.

"My thoughts are with his wife, Marie, his children Emer, Orla and Joseph and all his family and friends.

"He had such a positive impact on the world and will be sorely missed. We need a few more people like Joe."