Journalist Quinlan is laid to rest

The mayor of Limerick, Cllr Gerry McLoughlin, was among the many public figures who attended the funeral yesterday of Limerick journalist Arthur Quinlan.

Mr Quinlan, who died aged 92, covered Limerick and Shannon for more than 50 years, gaining many exclusive interviews from aviator Charles Lindbergh to US president Harry S Truman.

His godson, Fr James McMahon of Glenstal Abbey, was chief celebrant at the requiem Mass at the Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Ennis Rd. The other concelebrants were Fr William Walsh, PP, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish; Fr Tom Ryan CC, Our Lady of the Rosary; and Fr Donough O’Malley PP, St Mary’s Parish Limerick.

Officers from Castletroy Golf Club and Shannon Rowing Club formed a guard of honour as the coffin was brought from the church.

Mr Quinlan was a past captain of Castletroy and a former president of Shannon Rowing Club.

Public figures present included former Fianna Fáil minister Brendan Daly, Limerick City TD Kieran O’Donnell, and Limerick City councillors Pat Shortt and Pat Kennedy.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan attended the removal on Wednesday night from Thompson’s funeral home.

Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, led the large number of journalists in attendance.

Arthur Quinlan was born in Dublin and brought up in Co Clare.

Following a stint with the Irish Times in Dublin after graduating from UCD, he moved to Shannon, where he established himself as a correspondent for all the Irish daily media, and international news organisations.

He worked extensively for the then Radio Éireann and recorded many interviews with international celebrities who stopped at Shannon.

Mr Quinlan also gained exclusive interviews with a number of US presidents including Harry Truman and George Bush Sr.

He was predeceased earlier this year by his wife, Vera, and is survived by son Tom and daughters Joyce and Ann.