Cork broadcaster Alf McCarthy dies aged 73
Former RTÉ broadcaster Alf McCarthy has died following a short illness. He was 73.
Originally from the Ballinlough area, he began broadcasting with RTÉ Radio in Cork in 1979, he presented the Corkabout show for two decades. He went on to host PM Live with Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy. He also worked as a stand-in for Derek Davis on the Live at 3 show.
Alf also presented RTÉ Radio 1’s Late Date for 10 years.
During his career with the state broadcaster, he also helped create several comedy and satire series for television including Shortt Circuit, The Usual Suspects and Bull Island, and he produced a number of notable documentaries such as the Cleggan Disaster, Early Doors No More and A Tale of Three Cities.
He retired from from RTÉ in 2015. For the last number of years, he lived in the West Cork town of Rosscarbery, from where he presented the Later with Alf music podcast.
He was also involved with Down Memory Lane, a project in which he, Linda Kenny, and a host of guests, entertained people in libraries and nursing homes with songs from the past.
In recent weeks, he was involved with the Great Singalong Songbook events at Cork’s Everyman Theatre.
The team behind the show said they were “absolutely devastated” to learn of Mr McCarthy’s passing.
“Just 10 days ago, we shared The Everyman stage together in Burt Bacharach: A Celebration. “We don't know how to begin to process our profound loss.” The team expressed their “deepest sympathies go to Alf's family and his friends at this most difficult of times.
“Words seem to fail us right now, but to borrow the words of Vera Lynn, Alf's favourite Songbook show,” the said.
"We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day. Rest easy, dear Alf.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Mr McCarthy's passing, adding: "Alf had a wonderful personality.
"His warm, courteous and happy disposition towards life was truly infectious."
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, who often performed with Mr McCarthy in the Down Memory Lane shows, also paid tribute to him on social media, describing him as "a great performer and a dedicated 'building community' man".
