News

President Higgins leads tributes to RTÉ presenter Liam Ó Murchú who has died aged 86

IRISH broadcaster Liam Ó Murchú has died at the age of 86.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins led tributes to the former RTÉ editor and producer who is credited with bringing the Irish language to the mainstream TV viewing public.

Originally from Cork, Liam Ó Murchú was the national broadcaster's former editor of Irish language programmes, controller of programmes and later assistant Director General.

He was also a presenter of programmes such as Up For the Final and Trom agus Éadrom, a bilingual variety show for which he won a Jacob's award.

Scroll down for videos

Prior to his time at RTÉ, Liam studied literature at University College Cork.

He later became a civil servant, also serving as law adviser to the Minister for Health.

He left RTÉ in 1988 to set up his own production company and went on to write several books and articles that were published around the world - in Britain, the US and Ireland.

He also wrote a monthly column for Ireland's Own.

Liam was awarded an honorary degree by University College Cork in 2002.

Our condolences to family & friends of the great broadcaster Liam Ó Murchú, may he rest in peace. @UCCAlumNetwork https://t.co/8GAB935wEO

— UCC Ireland (@UCC) June 29, 2015

Fear uasal, is é a thug dom mo chéad chlár teilifíse Imeall ar @rte i 1971, beidh mé buíoch dhó go deo #liamómurchú https://t.co/bkaXj42r14

— Seán Bán Breathnach (@SBBinashui) June 29, 2015

"Throughout his career Liam worked tirelessly to promote the Irish language both in front of and behind the camera," President Higgins said yesterday.

"What set him apart in the promotion of the language was his belief that the language belonged to everyone and he displayed this inclusive approach as presenter of the bilingual programme, Trom agus Éadrom.

"He will be remembered by his former colleagues in the media and broadcast sector as a consummate professional who was full of warmth and vitality," he added.

"Sabina and I express our deepest sympathies to his eight children, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his extended family and his friends."