As the anniversary of his death approaches, Sheila O’Kelly remembers Donncha O Dúlaing, the renowned radio and television broadcaster

 

Donncha Ó Dúlaing was born on the 15th March, 1933 in Doneraile County Cork to Daniel and Helena Dowling. He was baptised Denis Patrick Dowling but later changed to Donncha Ó Dúlaing, the Irish version of his name. Donncha had two sisters, Mary and Kitty.

His father Daniel, a member of An Garda Síochána, was transferred to Charleville in Cork. Donncha attended the Christian Brothers School in Charleville until he was fifteen years old. He considered joining the Christian Brothers but decided against it.

His first job was in the Ford Motor Company in Cork as a trainee manager. Donncha met Vera Galvin, a teacher in Ballyhea (or Ballyhay), Cork and they married on Saint Valentine’s Day in 1961. They settled in Cork and had five children.

Vera encouraged Donncha to further his education and he completed an Arts degree in University College, Cork graduating with honours at the age of 28. He spent a short time working in Dagenham in England before returning to Ireland in the early 1960s.

In 1964, Donncha commenced work as a programme assistant at the Radió Éireann regional office in Cork. He secured a series of interviews in 1965 with the then President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera who was in his eighties.

The documentary, titled ‘Boy from Bruree’ details the young life of De Valera and his Limerick background. The series was very successful and launched Donncha’s career as a talented broadcaster.
In 1969, Donncha and family moved to Dublin and resided in Stillorgan. Donncha worked in the radio studio on the third floor in the General Post Office in Henry Street. He presented cultural and traditional Irish music programmes.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own