RTÉ have confirmed that broadcaster Larry Gogan has died, aged 81.
Having worked in broadcasting for almost six decades, Gogan was best known for his work on RTÉ 2FM where he worked as a DJ for 40 years before moving to RTÉ Gold.
Known as the man with the golden voice, Gogan broadcast his first radio programme on RTÉ Radio 1, and was in the original line-up in 1979 of RTÉ Radio 2 (which later became RTÉ 2fm), where he spun the first disc.
Dee Forbes, Director General, RTÉ said: "Larry Gogan was a legend, and a genuine national institution. He transcended generations – whether it was a hilarious moment on the Just a Minute Quiz, the breakneck countdown of the weekly top 40, or the first play of a Christmas song – Larry didn’t just preserve these traditions, he created them.
"Legendary, cross-generational, universally popular: The Golden Hour and the “Just a Minute Quiz” were national institutions, just the like the man himself. He returns now to his beloved Florrie - we are the poorer for his loss, but the richer for having known this gentleman of the airwaves."
Gogan also presented a variety of television programmes including Pickin' The Pops, Go 2 Show and The Golden Hour.
Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM said, “Larry was a huge part of the foundation on which 2FM was built – he was, arguably, the greatest music DJ in Irish broadcasting history; that gorgeous voice; that genius with a link; that love for the music. Larry won all the major radio awards in Ireland but over and above them all he had the one that mattered most: universal popularity. Everyone loved Larry, and we’ll all miss him deeply.”
During his career, Gogan won the Jacob’s award and was also awarded the IRMA Honours Award "in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish music."
Gogan's wife died in January 2002. He is survived by his five children - Gerard, Orla, Grainne, David and Sinead - and 12 grandchildren.
Main image via RTÉ
