Tributes paid after Cork broadcaster Donncha Ó Dúlaing dies aged 88

The Cork-born presenter worked in both radio and TV, hosting cultural and traditional music for more than 50 years.

Broadcaster Donncha Ó Dúlaing has died at the age of 88.

The Cork-born presenter worked in both radio and TV, hosting cultural and traditional music for more than 50 years.

RTÉ, who Mr Ó Dúlaing first joined in 1964, first reported his death on Sunday.

He was famed for his Highways and Byways programme where Mr Ó Dúlaing took part in numerous walks over the years, throughout Ireland, America and the Middle East raising millions of euro for chosen charities.

Over the course of his career, he interviewed people such as Éamon de Valera, Christy Ring, Pop John Paul II and Maureen O’Hara.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Ó Dúlaing, who has been hailed as a “voice of Ireland”.

The Taoiseach said that Mr Ó Dúlaing’s interviews will “live long in the memory”.

“Very saddened to hear of the passing of Donncha Ó Dúlaing,” said Micheál Martin.

“An outstanding broadcaster who brought much joy to his loyal listeners over the decades.

“’Highways and Byways' reached parts of Ireland that didn’t always get attention.” 

Arts Minister Catherine Martin said it was “very sad” to say goodbye to Mr Ó Dúlaing so soon after the death of journalist Rodney Rice.

Very sad saying goodbye to two legends of Irish broadcasting in such a short space of time

Our Irish music tradition is all the richer thanks to @rte broadcaster Donncha Ó Dúlaing

Rodney Rice has left a lasting legacy on Irish journalism

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha pic.twitter.com/jDWEUu0DNu

— Catherine Martin (@cathmartingreen) September 5, 2021

“Our Irish music tradition is all the richer thanks to RTÉ broadcaster Donncha Ó Dúlaing,” she said.

Mr Ó Dúlaing graduated with a BA from UCC in 1960 and in 2016, he was presented with an alumni award for his career in radio and his charity work.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner in 2015, Mr Ó Dúlaing said that he developed a love of people through his work.

Picture: Clare Keogh 

“Being a Corkman, I’m probably full of curiosity and I was a talker, but when I began broadcasting, my love of people really developed," he said.

He said that he stayed in touch with many of the people he interviewed and some had become friends. 

“That’s the thing that has appealed to me — I don’t let them go and they don’t let me go either, which is marvellous."

His wife Vera, a primary school teacher, died just last Sunday.

Mr Ó Dúlaing's son, Ruairí, wrote on Twitter that his father "was not inclined to stay now that Vera has gone".

Today wherever you are brónach arís, sad to share the passing of my father Donncha this evening, he was not inclined to stay now that Vera has gone. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís. pic.twitter.com/MG2nQbH7df

— Ruairí Ó Dúlaing (@Ruairi44) September 4, 2021

He is survived by his four sons. His daughter, Sinead, died in 2010.