BRIAN FARRELL

BRIAN FARRELL

10 November 2014: The death has taken place of the former RT presenter Brian Farrell.

Brian Farrell joined RT in February 1962, six weeks after the station began transmitting, working originally on the nightly magazine programme Broadsheet and its successor Newsbeat. Brian subsequently worked on a wide range of RT One current affairs programmes from 7 Days, The Politics Programme, Frontline (late 1970s), Today Tonight and Prime Time. For three years he also presented the Sunday evening Farrell programme.

He was born in Manchester in 1929, and educated at Col iste Mhuire, Dublin; The Salesian Fathers, Ballinakill, Co Laois; UCD and Harvard. He started as a freelance book reviewer for the Irish Independent in 1957 and subsequently contributed a weekly column on world affairs. He later moved this column to the Irish Press and also worked a regular editorial writer for both the daily and Sunday Press. Brian's broadcasting career began on radio on Radio ireann in the GPO studios in the late fifties. He was a frequent guest on Round Table on World Affairs and a contributor to Topical Talks. He also worked on and presented Film Magazine.

Brian Farrell provided live commentary on RT 's coverage of public events including State visits, presidential inaugurations and funerals, and a variety of ceremonial occasions over a number of decades. From 1965-2004 he presented on all general, presidential and EU parliament election coverage. In 1982 he presented the first ever general election "Leaders Debate" between Charles Haughey and Garret Fitzgerald and he continued to present every Leaders Debate until 1997. He interviewed major Irish political leaders during this time and twice received Jacobs awards for his public service broadcasting services. He was also given the Royal Television Society Hall of Fame Award for services to broadcasting on the island of Ireland.

Asked to recall a favourite programme or best-remembered broadcast, he said: My motto is that the most interesting programme is always the next one.

Noel Curran, Director General of RT , said: Brian Farrell was one of the most respected and talented Current Affairs presenters ever to appear on RT . Having started out on Radio ireann, he was there from the very beginning of Telef s ireann in 1962. On Broadsheet, Newsbeat, 7 Days, Today Tonight, and Prime Time, his incisive analysis was paired with a unique presentation style and a depth of knowledge about Irish politics that was extraordinary. He was also a fantastic colleague. Wise, witty, supportive but also not afraid to challenge, he was a hugely positive presence on the Current Affairs team. I consider it a privilege to have worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family.

Outside of broadcasting Brian taught for many years in the Department of Politics, UCD and was a Emeritus Professor of Politics. He lectured and published widely on many aspects of Irish government and politics. He was the first Director-General of the Institute for European Affairs, Dublin and in 2001 he became President of the Dublin Business School.

He served on a number of statutory bodies, as Chairman of Fulbright Commission for Ireland and the Arts Council as well as a member of the National Archives Advisory Council and Commission on the Newspaper Industry. He also authored books - The Founding of Dail ireann, parliament and nation-building; Chairman or Chief? , The role of Taoiseach in Irish government; Sean Lemass; Child Poverty in Ireland.

Brian Farrell is survived by his wife Marie-Th r se, and his children Naomi, Bernard, Miriam, David, Rachel, Theo and Brian.

The documentary Lights, Camera, Farrell! Elections, Television And Irish Politics which chronicles some of the high points of his career, first transmitted in 2004, will be rebroadcast on Monday 24th November on RT One.

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2014/1110/65820...
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