Irish Independent report 20 January 2007

Politicians, media, say goodbye to broadcaster Sean Mac Reamoinn

Saturday January 20th 2007


POLITICAL, broadcasting and journalism figures turned out in Dublin last night for the removal of Sean Mac Reamoinn .

Among those who paid condolences to his widow Pat, daughters Seona and Laoise and son Brian at the Church of the Holy Cross, Dundrum, were former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald, Justice Minister Michael McDowell, and Labour's Ruairi Quinn and Liz McManus.

Mr Mac Reamoinn, one of the country's best known broadcasters and an ardent Irish language enthusiast, died earlier this week in St Vincent's Hospital after a long illness. He was 85.

At last night's removal, before a packed church ,the parish priest Father Donal O'Doherty said the former RTE Radio controller of programmes had great variety of gifts and talent, as seen from the days he collected his folklore and music to reporting on Vatican II. He also had a "a passionate love of the Church" and belonged "to the people of God (Dundrum branch)".

But he was always "honest, courageous and challenging" of the Church yet appreciative, encouraging and hopeful".

Others present included Col Declan Carberry, ADC to President Mary McAleese; Ciaran McMathuna, Dolly McMahon, and Liam O'Murchu.

Former RTE colleagues there included Vincent Finn, Bob Collins, Ed Mulhall, Padhraic O Gaora. John Sheahan and Eamonn Campbell of The Dubliners and Welshmann Dr Harry Pritchard Jones, a close friend of Sean's were also there.

The funeral Mass takes place at 11am, and the burial will be at Mount Jerome cemetery.

Frank Khan