Cathal BarryTributes have been paid to broadcasting legend Bill O’Herlihy, a daily Massgoer who had described himself as a “committed Catholic”.
The well-known Cork man, who retired as RTE’s main sports presenter last summer after almost half a century, died this week aged 76.
Fr Frank Herron, Administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock, where Mr O’Herlihy’s regularly attended Mass, praised the broadcaster as a “complete gentleman”.
“He had a deep sense of God and was always very cheerful, positive, friendly and quick witted. His family was very central to his life and he was at all times supportive of the community here. He was an all-round good guy,” Fr Herron told The Irish Catholic.
In a December 2012 interview with this newspaper, Mr O’Herlihy spoke of how his faith had helped him overcome serious illnesses in the past.
The presenter revealed how he put his life “in the hands” the Blessed Virgin Mary while undergoing two major operations in recent years.
“I have a great faith in Our Lady that comes from my father. On each occasion I put my life in the hands of Our Lady and prayed that she would look after me – and she did,” he said.
Mr O’ Herlihy, who was brought up in a very religious Cork home, said there was “no way in the wide world” that he would have been allowed to miss Mass until he was 18. He added that since then “there is no way that I would dream of missing Mass either”.
The former news reporter had spoken in the past of how he is “simply a committed Catholic who tries his best to live according to the rules, who attends mass on Sunday and if possible every day”.
“I don’t have an axe to grind, I’m not part of any movement within the Church, I’m simply an ordinary Joe fighting to hold on to my faith,” he said.
Mr O’ Herlihy is survived his wife, Hillary and daughters, Jill and Sally.