Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:06 AM

Although the obit was published on The Guardian website, I noticed it wasn't actually published in the newspaper until yesterday!

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 08:30 PM

The Guardian eventually published their obit for Ciaran yesterday:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/jan/11/ciaran-mac-mathuna-obituary

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 08:05 PM

I used to listen to RTE through the '70s and early '80s. The station's approach to folk and traditional music (indeed to any minority music) was eclectic and inclusive, in marked contrast to BBC programming which basically excluded everything not "popular" (John Peel being their grudging exception). Ciaran Mac Mathuna's programmes were always worth a listen, his obvious pleasure in the people and music he introduced was completely infectious. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Ross

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: GUEST,Sean Lawler
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 08:29 AM

RIP Ciaran. I will always remember your early Sunday morning show. A lovely gentle way to get your day started.

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: Fiolar
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 07:58 AM

He was the best and I always listed to "Mo Ceol Thu" on Sunday mornings. 2009 is certainly a bad year. Ar Dheis De Le Na hAnam.

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 07:35 AM

How peasant it was to be eased into Sunday with You Rambling Boys of Pleasure by Planxty. Thank you for all those Sunday morning broadcasts.

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: ard mhacha
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 06:56 AM

The man himself in his 2nd last broadcast of Mo cheoil thu, 2005,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni47NwnsuLI

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 06:54 AM

Had an Email reply from the obits editor of The Guardian today in response to my query wehther they were going to do anything on Ciaran:

"Dear Jim,

Thanks, we have a piece commissioned, which should be published later this week I would think.

Best,

Diana Gower
020 3353 3628"

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: Gweltas
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 01:27 AM

To Martin Ryan :
Ooooooooooooo my goodness I am truly horrifically embarrassed for making such a blunder, Martin, and delighted to hear that Dolly is still with us !! I am the victim of an unsubstantiated rumour. It seems that not all the Irish "information" that filters through to Cornwall is 100% accurate. Sincere apologies to all who read my previous post and my grateful thanks to you, Martin, for your very timely correction, which is much appreciated. This will teach me to check my facts on line before posting them !!

Much thanks also to Bonnie Shaljean for posting the link to the film clip showing a youthful Dolly singing. I really enjoyed hearing her voice again , after so long.
Kindest Regards,
Anne XX.(still blushing bright pink here!)

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: John J
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 08:32 PM

I'm very sorry to hear this, whenever I tune into RTE I subconsciously expect to hear Ciaran's lovely voice - the two always went together.

JJ

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: Fergie
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 08:31 PM

A mighty, mighty man that has been a part of the living tradition for many decades. Thank you Ciarán for your enormous contribution

Fergus

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: ard mhacha
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 04:34 PM

I have been listening to Ciaran from he began on Radio Eireann, I remember a programme on a Sunday evening at 5-15 in the early 1950s called Ceol do Phasti, music for children.
This programme preceded Mo cheoil thu by many years,also his Sunday morning broadcasts were a delight, I have man old cassette tapes of these broadcast. He would play the appropriate music for each month of the year, I have enjoyed listening to these gems and sending them off to my friends abroad. Another great broadcaster from RTE like the late Tommy O`Brien he will never be repaced.

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 05:34 AM

Also

The Irish Times

And a very young Dolly Mac Mahon singing Love Is Teasing. Try to get ahold of her beautiful album on Claddagh if you can. For a taster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVTrW6_-2gc

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 05:21 AM

RTÉ NEWS

Subject: RE: Obit:Irish Broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna-Dec 2009
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 03:49 AM

Gweltas

Well done on the "clicky" but ... Dolly survives him. Before anyone starts another obit!

Ciaran's contribution to spreading the gospel of traditional music was immense.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Ciaran Mac Mathuna
From: Gweltas
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 12:26 AM

Wow, I have finally succeeded in actually making a proper blue clicky thingy. I AM impressed with myself. LOL !!

Subject: RE: Obit: Ciaran Mac Mathuna
From: Gweltas
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 11:17 PM

Very saddened to hear of the death of Ciarán Mac Mathúna, erudite broadcaster, lecturer, and promoter of Irish music.... ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis !! He had an enclyclopaedic knowledge of Irish music, and its performers, and was a life long collector of Irish songs and music. His career as a radio (and later as a TV) broadcaster must have spanned at least 50 years, or more, because I remember first hearing him on radio when I was around 12 or 13 years old. His Sunday morning programme was a weekly indulgence for me and I loved his relaxed and friendly presentating style, delivering to the nation a wealth of interesting information, anecdotes and musical gems.
Dolly Mac Mahon, his late wife, was a fine singer and together they were a formidable team, especially when co-hosting Irish music programmes on Irish TV. Hopefully that team are once again re-united in Heaven. My condolences to his family and to all whose lives he has touched in such a positive way.
Here is a link to an Irish TV programme, made 6 years ago, with Ciarán talking nostalgically about his holidays in Kilkee, Co.Clare, when he was a child. I was quite taken aback while listening to it, because age and infirmity had attenuated the wonderful warm voice I was so used to hearing , when I still lived in Ireland. While the soundtrack is mostly in Irish there are English subtitles on the screen all the way through. (Warning: there is a commercial break halfway through the programme, so don't abandon it when the advertisments begin!)

Ciarán Mac Mathúna

Subject: RE: Obit: Ciaran Mac Mathuna
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:34 PM

I'm so, so sad to hear it. He was a true gentleman, and enriched Irish music incalculably over the years. We're the poorer for his passing, but even though he's left us, his place here is forever secure. Rest in peace, Ciarán.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ciaran Mac Mathuna
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:03 PM

He it was who "introduced" Irish Radio listeners to the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem who were already hitting the high spots in New York .
His programmes were essential listening for many, many years.
He saw no dicotomy between the Traditional Music he favoured and people like the Dubliners, Clancy Bros & Tommy Makem et al. If it had Irish performers it was for Ciarán.
God rest him.

Subject: Obit: Ciaran Mac Mathuna
From: GUEST,Connacht Rambler
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 02:43 PM

Sad to write that Irish radio broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna has died. With programmes like 'Mo Cheol Thu' and 'A Job of Journeywork', he introduced hundreds of musicians and folk singers to Irish listeners.