Ireland will end 2015 minus several broadcasters who are embroidered into the memory of the country and associated with great times past. Bill O'Herlihy joins Tony Fenton and Derek Davis in what would be a trio anyone would give their right arm to have socialised with for one evening. Bill's passing was sudden. Only Sunday night he was at the IFTA awards. One would hope like Tony and Derek before him, that he understood how highly we regarded him.
My morning colleague Ian Dempsey observed that one word keeps coming up. 'Gent'. Bill's broadcasting template was fashioned over half a century on the box. I loved his Cork lilt. Proud of his roots and always keen to demystify 'expert analysis' for Sean and Sile citizen. Bill's willingness to just be the conductor, rather than centre stage was the real genius of his body of work. In the world of today there's lots of business competition. Never more so than in the media. However the outpouring of tributes from all sides indicates the widespread esteem in which Bill was held. Condolences to his wife Hilary and daughters Jill and Sally.
Hats off to the state broadcaster for this summary of why Bill was great.
