2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH

Subject: RIP BrianO'Donovan
From: GUEST,Guest Joan F
Date: 07 Oct 23 - 11:55 AM

Longtime Boston area DJ of Irish & related music, on WERS in the '80s,more recently on WGBH.

Glioblastoma.

Was hoping he'd be the one that beat it.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: gillymor
Date: 07 Oct 23 - 01:49 PM

I'll miss his wonderful shows on GBH. At least he's left us with a wonderfully talented daughter.
Thanks and RIP.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: gillymor
Date: 08 Oct 23 - 07:58 AM

Hopefully we'll be able to keep digging into
the archives of a A Celtic Sojourn.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: robomatic
Date: 10 Oct 23 - 11:29 PM

My old stomping grounds and listen-to gurus and muses. WGBH, WERS, WBCN, WCRB (private classical). Robert J Lurtzema. Generations ago!

Thank you for the information and the references. May his family and friends find concolation in his works and their memories.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 23 - 01:15 PM

From Sept. 8. 2023: Brian O'Donovan pauses 'A Celtic Sojourn' shows as he battles brain cancer

From Oct. 7, 2023: Brian O'Donovan, an ambassador for Celtic music and Irish culture, has died

The text of the second story:

Brian O'Donovan, who has been bringing his "A Celtic Sojourn" shows as host and producer to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Worcester since the theater opened in 2008, has announced that the shows will be paused due to his battling terminal brain cancer.

The Irish-born anchor of Boston radio station GBH's popular "A Celtic Sojourn" has gathered some of the best Celtic singers, musicians and dancers for touring shows both in the holiday season and also around St. Patrick's Day.

O'Donovan normally serves as what he has called as "man of the house, master of ceremonies, or congenial host."

But in a message to "My Dearest Celtic Sojourn Family" that was released on Sept. 12, O'Donovan said, "I write with a difficult announcement regarding our live productions of A Celtic Sojourn. As many of you know, I have been battling terminal brain cancer, and have had to make some tough decisions We will be pausing A Celtic Sojourn, Live shows — both Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day — until further notice."

The pandemic brought a temporary close to twice-a-year live in-person visits to The Hanover Theatre as the "A Celtic Sojourn" shows went mostly virtual.

Still, his "A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn" came back to The Hanover Theatre in 2022 for the first time since 2019 on St. Patrick's Day itself.

O'Donovan, who has remarked several times that he likes coming to Worcester because of the warmth of the audiences, said the Worcester date of March 17 "has huge significance for us," during an interview with Worcester Magazine just before the show went on.

In September, 2022, O'Donovan first announced his diagnosis of terminal brain cancer.

He did not tour and with "GBH Presents A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan" last year. When the show was at The Hanover Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2022, producer and director Jenna Worden said she would do some of the hosting.

This year's "St. Patrick's Day Sojourn" did not come to Worcester. "I hope you understand that this is the right decision for me and my family at this time," O'Donovan said in his announcement about pausing the shows. "The Rockport Celtic Festival (where O'Donovan is co-artistic director) will continue to take place, and we remain open to the possibility of revisiting our Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day shows in the future, with as many of the same team members in place as possible. We are working on a 'best-of' film to celebrate 20 years of performances, which we hope to share with you later this year."

O'Donovan continued, "For the past two decades, this journey has been a magical tapestry of music, dance, and storytelling, woven together with the threads of our shared love for Celtic traditions and culture. It has been a joy to work with so many wonderfully creative people over the years, uniting musicians from various traditions in celebration of the holidays and our shared humanity. Together, we traveled back through time, rediscovering ancient traditions, celebrating with carols, and experiencing the warmth of Celtic hospitality."

O'Donovan was born and raised in Clonakilty, a town of about 3,000 in West Cork, Ireland. He has made a name for himself here in various capacities, including as former general manager of the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team, and as a music producer and broadcaster. He has said he was originally only going to visit Boston for three days, but ended up staying. He was a graduate student at Emerson College. At a music jam-session he was introduced to Lindsay Henes. They married in August of 1981.

"And so as we reach the end of this chapter, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you," O'Donovan concluded in his announcement.

"Your involvement in and support of A Celtic Sojourn has been a constant source of inspiration and strength, and I thank you for it. You have been more than an audience; you have been my companions, my confidants, and my friends, and you each hold a special place in my heart."

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 08 Oct 23 - 08:20 PM

condolences to family and friends.
A great loss to the community!

Thomas.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 10 Oct 23 - 10:50 PM

posted at BOStonirisH.COM:
https://www.bostonirish.com/node/33992
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 11 2023 in First Church in Cambridge, Congregational,on Garden Street near Harvard Square. The service will be livestream here .
https://c.streamhoster.com/embed/media/WFsdGD/c03bfncsOGW/Sqhgm7sAWG7_5
O'Donovan funeral

Brian O'Donovan leaves his wife; their children, Aoife of Orlando, Ciaran of Brooklyn, N.Y., Aidan of Denver, and Nuala of Cambridge; his eight siblings, Aileen Murphy, Millie Potter, Michael, Carmel O’Brien, James, Meg Hickey, Ann O’Brien, and Ray; and three grandchildren.



Thomas.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Brian O'Donovan of Boston & WGBH
From: RTim
Date: 08 Oct 23 - 10:10 PM

Brian was a very pleasant and approachable man with a great passion for Irish Music and Musicians. He was never slow coming forward with ideas to promote the music and that is proven by the number of successful events he started. I am sure he was equally as good to the musicians and singers he hired for his endeavours...and he will be missed by them and all lovers of the Music...RIP Brian...