President Michael D Higgins called Fahy “one of Ireland’s finest broadcasters” and “RTÉ’s voice of the west of Ireland”.
Tributes have poured in for former RTÉ western editor Jim Fahy following his passing at 75 after a short illness.
Born in Galway in 1946, Fahy started working in 1965 for the Tuam Herald before joining RTÉ in 1974 as its first western news correspondent.
He became well known for his Looking West series showcasing the lives of storytellers and musicians in the west of Ireland which aired more than 400 episodes on RTÉ Radio between 1977 and 1984.
While working for RTÉ News and Current Affairs, Fahy also travelled abroad, making many documentaries.
He was on the scene of the 11 September attacks and profiled the Irish-American victims of them.
Fahy was appointed to the position of Western Editor by RTÉ in 2005 before retiring in 2011 as the station’s longest-serving regional correspondent.
Journalists and politicians have taken to social media to pay tribute to the broadcaster and documentary maker.
President Michael D Higgins called Fahy “one of Ireland’s finest broadcasters” and “RTÉ’s voice of the west of Ireland”.
Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Jim Fahyhttps://t.co/TmEbGpS8cx
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) January 15, 2022
“On the occasion of Jim’s final day in RTÉ on 31 December 2011, I suggested that every single thing that happened in the west of Ireland – be it political, cultural or international – the first thing people would say to each other was ‘have you contacted Jim Fahy?’, thus as a politician serving the people of the west of Ireland I had the pleasure of a long association with him,” he wrote.
“He himself noted that the highlight of his broadcasting career was the more than 400 programmes he made for the ‘Looking West’ series between 1977 and 1984, featuring stories from those who had witnessed life in Ireland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“While he might not have been so bold as to say it himself, he has already done that work through an archive for the future generations who will look back at life in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, with his reports providing a permanent record and testament of the people of the west of Ireland throughout those decades.
“On behalf of Sabina and myself, I would like to express my sympathies to Jim’s wife Christina, to his children and to all his wider circle of friends and family.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Fahy’s “distinct voice and eye for a story uncovered every facet of life in the west of Ireland, as well as major international events like 9/11.”
Very sad to hear of the passing of former RTE Western Editor Jim Fahy
His distinct voice and eye for a story uncovered every facet of life in the west of Ireland, as well as major international events like 9/11.
My sympathies to his wife Christina, children, family and friends. https://t.co/IvQSReVVTJ
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 15, 2022
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Catherine Martin stated that Fahy’s reporting was “important in documenting life in the west of Ireland and beyond”.
Very sad to hear that Jim Fahy has passed away
His reporting was important in documenting life in the west of Ireland and beyond.
My thoughts are with his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/T6RfzzJgZQ
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) January 15, 2022
Managing Director of RTÉ News Jon Williams said he was a “giant of journalism.”
“All of us at RTÉ News are deeply saddened by Jim Fahy’s passing,” he wrote.
“It was Jim who told Ireland, while his documentaries brought the world closer.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
All of us @rtenews deeply saddened by #JimFahy’s passing. A giant of journalism & #RTE. As Western editor & correspondent, from Eamon Casey, to Don Tidy & Knock airport, it was Jim who told #Ireland, while his documentaries brought the world closer. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/SwOLaAldUt
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) January 15, 2022
RTÉ presenter David McCullagh called Fahy “an absolute gent and a total pro”, while RTÉ reporter Samantha Libreri said he was “kind and encouraging to all who came after him”.
Very sorry to hear this news. An absolute gent, and a total pro. RIP. Former RTÉ Western Editor Jim Fahy dies https://t.co/6M2Quef0bq
— David McCullagh (@mcculld) January 15, 2022
When I worked overnight shifts in my early days in RTÉ, Jim Fahy would regularly call in at all hours, with stories from his region. He lived and loved his job. He was a giant of TV journalism. And kind and encouraging to all who came after him. Thinking of his family and friends https://t.co/XTK8c6tlLk
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) January 15, 2022
Main image via cathmartingreen/Twitter
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