Cobh

<h3>Donncha O'Dualing RIP by Fr Liam Kelleher </h3>
I met Donncha a larger than life character a number of times down through the years. He was a National figure particularly in the broadcasting world, but had many other strings to his bow and embarked on many 'Marathon' fundraisers for various charitable causes. One of the most noteworthy was the walk undertaken for the Irish wheelchair Association from Bantry to Antrim raising the magnificent sum of a quarter of a million Irish pounds. The feature of the expedition was that he walked every step of the way with his mentor and coach former army man Bernie O'Callaghan, who served at one time on peacekeeping duties in the Lebanon. Bernie who represented Ireland in race walking and fishing, was the ideal man to keep Donncha in shape. He happens to be visiting me in Cobh this week and was very sad to hear of Donncha's passing, barely a week after his good wife. Bernie told me some wonderful stories of that walk and the fantastic support both of them received. Usually when there is fundraising venture, involving a long walk, it's done in relays and participants are transported between the towns and collect in the towns. But Donncha and Bernie would have none of that. A story Bernie told me on one particular day they encountered an elderly lady, who had sold all her cattle the previous day and she gave the entire proceeds of her cheque to the cause.&nbsp;
<h2>Love of Cork and Charleville </h2>
One thing is certain, Donncha never lost his grá for his native heath Cork and Charleville in particular, which always remained dear to his heart. I remember one time when St. Mary's Charleville girls Junior team, that I was involved with, were playing their first All-Ireland camogie final in Croke Park, he came along to support them and wish them well. There was none more delighted than Donncha at the final whistle when girls triumphed by 4 points against FCJ Bunclody from Wexford. He had a particular affinity with the thousands of listeners to his Saturday night programme 'Failte Isteach' Ceili house. He had a great love for religious houses and particularly for religious working abroad and he mentioned so many of them by name on his programme. He was sadly missed when retired from that programme. His legacy will live on through his broadcasting and through many other aspects of his extraordinary life. Rest In Peace Donncha, you can rest now from your labours for your good deeds go with you.&nbsp;

Tributes to Donncha
Well-known Cork TV and Radio presenter Donncha Ó'Dúlaing was laid to rest on Wednesday morning in a private funeral with family in attendance. The Doneraile man had a long career including half a century of presenting radio and television across a number of cultural and traditional music programmes. Starting his career in the early '60s, Mr Ó’Dúlaing presented the popular Highways and Byways series on RTÉ Radio One along with a television series.
His more notable career highlights include interviews with Mick Jagger, President Éamon de Valera, Pope John Paul II, Christy Ring and John Steinbeck.
The ceremony was also broadcast for friends and fans through a webcam at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Merrion Road, Dublin. The funeral took place at 10am. As a mark of respect to his career, Donncha’s funeral cortège passed RTÉ on Nutley Lane
Mr Ó’Dúlaing, originally from Charleville, Cork, passed away peacefully over the weekend at Foxrock Nursing Home, Dublin.
Donncha was the beloved husband of the late Vera, father of the late Sinéad and brother of the late Sr. Mary Dowling. Donncha is sadly missed by sons Feargal, Ruairí, Dónal and Donncha, son-in-law Eddie, sister Kitty and by his daughters-in-law Dervilla, Lorraine, Anne and Lorraine, and grandchildren Cian, Aisling, Caoilfhionn, Ruairí, Sinéad, Diarmaid, Finnán and Bláthnaid.
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin took time to acknowledge the passing of the Cork man.
'Highways and Byways' reached parts of Ireland that didn’t always get attention. His interviews will live long in the memory.
Cork’s Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher said Ireland and Cork have “lost a widely respected and influential broadcaster part of a generation of ground-breaking presenters and journalists that shaped Irish public broadcasting.
“I think we all owe him a debt of gratitude for his contribution to Irish Television and radio over the last 50 years.”
&nbsp;President Michael D Higgins also released a statement on Donncha’s passing.
“It is not only his listeners over the years but our Irish abroad and their families who will have heard with sadness of the passing of broadcaster Donncha Ó Dúlaing, just days after the death of his wife Vera.
"With his passing, Ireland has lost a widely respected and influential broadcaster, part of a generation of ground-breaking presenters and journalists that shaped Irish public broadcasting.”&nbsp;

<img src="https://d2hz75cbudexsj.cloudfront.net/insideAppNews/images/6dbd30d3-605e-4ccf-9f71-fcb63c80c5bf.jpg" alt="undefined" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Donncha One of Irelands great characters goes home

DOWNLOAD AND XPLORE