Where are they now: Fionn O'Leary?

coylemj

Remember Fionn O'Leary who use to present a classical music program on RTE Radio1 on Sundays called 'Sounds Classical'?

The program more or less filled in the slot left vacant by the death of Tommy O'Brien who used to play golden oldie classical recordings, usually of operatic arias and Italian folk songs sung by Caruso, Gigli etc. Liam Devalley (later a barrister and judge) used to present a similar program early on Sunday mornings back in the late 1970s.

Wondering whatever happened Fionn O'Leary or where is he now?

Radio_Fan_67

coylemj wrote: »

Remember Fionn O'Leary who use to present a classical music program on RTE Radio1 on Sundays called 'Sounds Classical'?

The program more or less filled in the slot left vacant by the death of Tommy O'Brien who used to play golden oldie classical recordings, usually of operatic arias and Italian folk songs sung by Caruso, Gigli etc. Liam Devalley (later a barrister and judge) used to present a similar program early on Sunday mornings back in the late 1970s.

Wondering whatever happened Fionn O'Leary or where is he now?

How long ago was this ? The name doesn't ring a bell. I remember Jack o'brien's show on sunday nights which left the schedule a couple of years ago without announcement

coylemj

Jack O'Brien more or less filled in where Fionn O'Leary left off, or soon after. I guess Fionn O'Leary would have been presenting that program early on Sunday evenings in the 1980s.

Losty Dublin

That was the old O'Brien on Song show, wasn't it?

I vaguely recall Sounds Classical on RTE; it and Conor Maguire's In The Mood were Radio 1 staples on Sunday evenings over the years. If he is still alive, Fionn must be a ripe old age.

coylemj

Losty Dublin wrote: »

That was the old O'Brien on Song show, wasn't it?

Correct, that was the name of Jack O'Brien's program. Tommy O'Brien's program was called 'Your choice and mine'.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If he is still alive, Fionn must be a ripe old age.

I wasn't aware that he was that old, I always thought he was a young fellow because I hadn't ever heard of him before he started presenting 'Sounds Classical'. Had he worked in RTE or elsewhere for a few years before that?

Expunge

"Good evening listeners...." As Tommy used say opening each programme.

Fionn O Leary was a quality Classical music broadcaster the like of which we don't really have any more.
He used the brilliant final movement of Bizet's Symphony in C as his sig tune.
I hope he's enjoying his retirement.

coylemj

Expunge wrote: »

Fionn O Leary was a quality Classical music broadcaster the like of which we don't really have any more.
He used the brilliant final movement of Bizet's Symphony in C as his sig tune.
I hope he's enjoying his retirement.

Thanks for that, here is a performance of the piece to remind anyone with fond memories of an excellent radio program and I join with you in wishing Fionn a long and happy retirement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_0a0SLEv4

Losty Dublin

coylemj wrote: »

Correct, that was the name of Jack O'Brien's program. Tommy O'Brien's program was called 'Your choice and mine'.



I wasn't aware that he was that old, I always thought he was a young fellow because I hadn't ever heard of him before he started presenting 'Sounds Classical'. Had he worked in RTE or elsewhere for a few years before that?

He was certainly with RTE in 1980 and he isn't a spring chicken in this picture

https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/image/2078/099.html