President leads tributes to veteran RnaG broadcaster Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí
Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí began working with RnaG in the early 1990s.
Veteran Raidió na Gaeltachta (RnaG) broadcaster Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí has died at the age of 53, the station has confirmed.
Born in Cork, Mr Mac Aodha Bhuí and his family moved to Gaoth Dobhair in Co Donegal when he was just three months old.
After spells at Century Radio and RTÉ TV n the late 1980s, he began working with RnaG in the early 1990s.
He helmed numerous shows on the station over the decades including magazine show , music series , and music show .
On in 2005, he played the first ever song with lyrics in English on the station — 'Blister in the Sun' by the Violent Femmes, which was selected by listeners.
His signature RnaG show, aired for the first time in 2006, and it was on this show he would become one of the best-known Irish language broadcasters in the country.
The show began broadcasting live from the annual An t-Oireachtas festival from 2008.
President Michael D Higgins led tributes and hailed Mr Mac Aodha Bhuí's "liveliness and exuberance" in his broadcasting style and called him a "hero" amongst the Irish-speaking community.
In a statement on Tuesday night, President Higgins said the former broadcaster was particularly popular and highly-respected amongst the Gaeltacht and Irish-speaking communities across Ireland.
"Liveliness and exuberance were the hallmarks of his broadcasting style which was recognised with many awards," he said.
"He had a particular interest in identifying new musical talent and nurturing new bands and solo performers. He established various musical festivals and events including An Cabaret Craiceáilte and loved being centre stage to present the liveliest of public events."
President Higgins also said that Mr Mac Aodha Bhuí had an additional skill which was the ability to carry out "measured interviews on senstive subjects with vulnerable people."
"A sign of the respect in which he was held was the public donation of over €170,000 to support him in new cancer drug trials in Spain and America over the past year. But it was not to be. May he rest in peace."
In a statement, the RnaG said Rónán was "passionate about radio and the power of radio" and had "a great respect for the knowledge and wisdom of the older generations, and relished the chance to learn from them about words and turns of phrases in Irish, and other cultural traditions and stories."
RnaG added that Rónán was "unwavering in his commitment to the importance of the Irish language and the Gaelic culture."
"He was a passionate torch bearer for Irish-language broadcasting, a radio pioneer whose flair for invention and innovation will influence broadcasters in any language for years to come," said RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst.
Ceannaire of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Gearóid Mac Donncha said it would be "difficult to put into words the influence that Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí had on his community, and the love and esteem in which he was held."
"That community is wide and varied and includes people in the Gaeltacht and Irish-language communities, musicians, artists, writers, farmers, fishermen, doctors, solicitors, young and old, at home and abroad, and all will be deeply-saddened today at the news of his death.”
Mr Mac Donncha said. Rónán was a "superbly-talented broadcaster" who had "an innate understanding of the medium of radio, and he created many unforgettable radio moments during his years on the air.
"He leaves a legacy in Irish-language broadcasting that is unsurpassed," he added.
"We owe him a debt of gratitude for his work for this station, and for the Irish language.”
Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí is survived by his wife Bernie, his daughter Fionnuala, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.
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