Dr Terry left (almost) speechless by honour

ONE of Limerick’s most famous sons and celebrated broadcaster, Terry Wogan, described the occasion as “one of the proudest moments” of his life.

He returned to his native city over the weekend to be conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Limerick in recognition of his services to broadcasting and the promotion of a range of Irish causes.

Mr Wogan, who has been one of the most successful broadcasters on both radio and television for over 40 years, said: “I am privileged to be honoured by the University of Limerick in my own city.”

He spoke of his happy days living in Limerick where he grew up as a student at Crescent College and wondered if his whole life would have been different had there been a university in the city 50 years ago.

“I have very happy memories of Limerick where I was born and grew up. Limerick has made me for better or worse, and despite the fact that I have been living and working in Britain for many years, Limerick has never left me.”

Asked would he like to be now called “Dr Terry Wogan”, the affable 65-year-old replied: “I will always be plain, simple old Terry.”

He does not have plans to retire to his native city or anywhere in Ireland. “That is because the Irish would drive you mad. I don’t think I could stand it,” he joked.

“In all seriousness, though, I’m immensely proud to be Irish and to be from Limerick, but you have to live where your family live, and as much as I love being home, that’s the reality.”

Mary Davis, former chief executive of the Special Olympics in Ireland, and novelist Edna O’Brien were also conferred with honorary doctorates by the University of Limerick.

“All three have made an enormous contribution to the recognition abroad of Irish achievement,” said Sean Donlon, chancellor of the University of Limerick and former Irish Ambassador to the United States.

“Terry Wogan, in good times and bad, has been a much loved Irish voice in Britain.

Edna O’Brien’s work places her firmly in the tradition of great Irish writers universally acclaimed and Mary Davis’ achievement in organising the Special Olympic World Games has brought her and Ireland enormous credit abroad as well as at home,” he said.

Mary Davis said she was proud to represent the 30,000 volunteers who gave of their time and talents to make the Games such a huge success, while Edna O’Brien said she was surprised by the award.

“I am from Tuamgraney near Scarriff in East Clare. It was Limerick I came to as a child and thought it to be a mecca,” she said.