Micheal O'Hehir Christmas Night Television Tribute

[Armagh Exile]

GAA President, Nickey Brennan led the tributes at the launch in Croke Park of a new TG4 television documentary on one of the great names in the history of Irish sport - pioneering Gaelic Games and racing commentator Micheál O Hehir. The programme will be shown on TG4 on Christmas Day.

Micheál O Hehir was an innovating broadcaster in every sense of the word.  From his first radio broadcast in 1938  as an 18 year old (standing on an orange box at the Galway v Monaghan All-Ireland Semi-Final football match in Mullingar) and throughout his fifty year career, - he broke new ground. He quickly became known as the broadcast voice of Gaelic games.  His opening words  Bail ó Dhia oraibh a chairde Gael agus fáilte romhaibh go Páirc an Chrócaigh   on Radio Éireann had the power of instantly transporting his audience throughout the world in their imagination to the hallowed turf of that great stadium.   He made the transition easily to television when that medium was established in Ireland and also developed his career as an internationally renowned racing commentator - for the big races in Ireland  at the great Classics and Steeplechases in Britain and further afield.

This new programme, co-funded by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's Sound and Vision scheme, features lots of clips >from the extensive archive of Micheál  O Hehir's many golden moments on radio and television, with tributes and reminiscences >from family, colleagues, Gaelic Games heroes and members of the horse-racing community. Among those taking part are his sons and daughter,  Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Séamas Mallon, Seán Ó Sé, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Liam Ó Maolmhichíl, Ted Walsh, Sir Peter O Sullevan and many others.  The programme was produced by Nemeton, the independent company based in Ring, Co Waterford and is narrated by actor Mick Lally.

Micheál O Hehir, who died in 1996,  was a man of many achievements but one who did not seek the limelight. His contribution was enormous  across a range of activities, not least as ambassador for Ireland and Irish sport. TG4 Ceannasaí, Pól Ó Gallchóir  says the channel is proud to have commissioned this programme on a legend of public service broadcasting in Ireland and to be airing it on Christmas Day, the most important day of the television year. "This is an entertaining programme that will bring back many happy memories for Irish people, home and abroad," he said, and will make for very enjoyable viewing and reviewing.

Micheál O Hehir     TG4 Christmas Day 10pm

[TORGAEL]

Sounds like this will be an absolute must to watch.....the mans was a legend.