Tributes paid to Cork's Alf McCarthy following his death
Tributes have been paid this morning to former RTÉ presenter Alf McCarthy following news of his passing.
Tributes have been paid this morning to former RTÉ presenter Alf McCarthy following news of his passing.
His death was announced on RTÉ this morning.
He was 73.
Mr McCarthy began broadcasting with RTÉ Radio Cork in 1979 and retired from RTÉ in 2015.
During that time he had been a presenter of on RTÉ Radio 1.
He is also credited with creating the comedy and satire series Shortt Circuit, The Usual Suspects and Bull Island and produced documentaries such as The Cleggan Disaster, Early Doors No More and A Tale of Three Cities.
He was also well-known for his contribution to the arts and was an award-winning performer.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Kieran McCarthy said that McCarthy had been "passionate about the arts, fun, v creative, funny, a proud Corkman, a great building communities advocate" on X.
#GotCork RIP Alf, sincere condolences to family &friends; passionate about the arts, fun, v creative, funny, a proud Corkman, a great building communities advocate #weareCork #proudofCork https://t.co/6kAIghXCTT
— Cllr Kieran McCarthy (@cllrkmac) April 18, 2024
"Sincere condolences to family and friends," he said.
The Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened at the passing of Alf McCarthy.
"Raconteur, broadcaster & actor - Alf had a wonderful personality. His warm, courteous & happy disposition towards life was truly infectious. My sympathies to his family & friends at this time," he said.
Deeply saddened at the passing of Alf McCarthy.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 18, 2024
Raconteur, broadcaster & actor - Alf had a wonderful personality.
His warm, courteous & happy disposition towards life was truly infectious.
My sympathies to his family & friends at this time. https://t.co/hRn8Fd32U8
Members of the Great Singalong Songbook, whom Alf McCarthy performed with, said that they were "absolutely devastated and heartbroken to learn of the passing of our beloved friend and Singalong Songbook family member, Alf Mccarthy, following a brief illness."
In a post on Facebook they wrote: "Just 10 days ago, we shared The Everyman stage together in Burt Bacharach: A Celebration. We don't know how to begin to process our profound loss. Our deepest sympathies go to Alf's family and his friends at this most difficult of times. Words seem to fail us right now, but to borrow the words of Vera Lynn, Alf's favourite Songbook show, "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day"
"Rest easy, dear Alf."
Broadcaster Elmarie Mawe said that Mr McCarthy's voice had been "iconic" on Late Date.
"He was full of such humour and mischief, and was a true performer to the end, only on stage in The Everyman in Cork 10 days ago. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé," she said on X.
So deeply, deeply sad to hear the one and only Alf McCarthy died tonight. His voice was iconic on Late Date on @RTERadio1. He was full of such humour and mischief, and was a true performer to the end, only on stage in @EverymanCork 10 days ago. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé. #PureCork pic.twitter.com/I0eVNzWv6r
— Elmarie Mawe 🎙 (@elmarie96) April 18, 2024
Senator Jerry Buttimer said he was shocked and saddened to hear of Mr McCarthy's passing.
"Alf was a great mentor when working in RTÉ Radio Cork. He was full of fun. His voice was golden."
Shocked & Sad to hear of the passing of Alf McCarthy. Alf was a great mentor when working in RTE Radio Cork. He was full of fun. His voice was golden. @rte @RTERadio1 my sympathies to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/eTry2EF78f
— Jerry Buttimer TD (@jerrybuttimer) April 18, 2024
More to follow.
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