Jim Fahy

James Fahy (21 November 1946 – 14 January 2022) was an Irish journalist broadcaster, journalist and documentary-maker. He was the Western Editor for RTÉ News and was RTÉ's longest-serving regional correspondent at the time of his retirement in 2011.[2]

Jim Fahy
Born
James Fahy

21 November 1946[1]
Loughrea, County Galway, Connacht, Ireland
Died (aged 75)
Tuam, County Galway, Connacht, Ireland
NationalityIrish
EducationKilrickle National School
De la Salle School, Loughrea
Garbally College
Occupation(s)Journalist and broadcaster
Years active1965–2011
EmployerRTÉ (1974–2011)
Known forLooking West; Western Editor RTÉ News
AwardsJacob's Awards for Radio 1984

Early life

Fahy was born in Kilrickle, County Galway,[3] in 1946.[4] He was educated locally in Kilrickle National School, De la Salle School, Loughrea and Garbally College (1960–1964).[2] He aspired to become a pilot, but instead embarked on a career as a journalist.[5]

Career

Fahy started working in 1965 for The Tuam Herald. While working at the paper he wrote a social diary which he called Nitescene. He was looked upon with great respect by his former colleagues at the paper.[5]

Fahy joined RTÉ in 1974 as its first Western News Correspondent.[6] In his early career in this role he reported on events such as the building and controversy of Ireland West Airport Knock, the kidnapping of Don Tidey by the IRA and the affair that local Bishop Eamon Casey had.[7] He is well known for making over 450 editions of Looking West for RTÉ Radio between 1977 and 1984, a programme about storytellers and musicians in the West of Ireland.[7] It was described by The Irish Times as "ground-breaking".[5]

While working for RTÉ News and Current Affairs, Fahy also travelled abroad, making many documentaries, a large number of which featured Irish aid workers.[8] With producer Dick Warner, he interviewed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1976 and journeyed across Africa for documentaries. More recently, he reported from Belarus, Haiti and Somalia.[5] He was also on the scene of the September 11 attacks and profiled the Irish-American victims of them.[2] In 2002, his documentary Stories from the Twin Towers won a gold medal at the New York Festivals Television Programming Awards.[7]

Fahy won numerous other awards, including a Jacob's Award in 1984, as well as forty other national and international awards, many with producer Caroline Bleahen.[5][7]

[..] every single thing that happened in the West of Ireland, be it political or cultural or international, the first thing people would say to each other was, 'have you contacted Jim Fahy?' [...]

President Michael D. Higgins, RTÉ News: Six One, 31 December 2011.

Fahy was appointed to the position of Western Editor by RTÉ in 2005, and was based in the station's Galway studio.[2] In 2011, he retired along with other high-profile news broadcasters Anne Doyle and Michael Ryan.[9] He worked for the station for 37 years and was accomplished as the longest-serving regional news correspondent.[5] His final news report was broadcast on RTÉ on 31 December 2011.[10] A tribute was paid to him from President Michael D. Higgins, who said that he would be "missed" and that he has a "seductive charm".[6]

Personal life

Fahy was married to Christina until his death.[11] Together, they had two children: Shane and Aideen.[12][13]

Fahy died at his home in Tuam on 14 January 2022, at the age of 75.[13][11][14][15]

References
  1. "Jim Fahy obituary: Western editor with a huge zest for stories". Irish Times. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  2. "Jim Fahy: A Biography". A Hundred Dead People In My Truck. RTÉ Television. 9 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. "WESTERN JOURNALIST RETIRES AFTER 46 YEAR CAREER". Galway Bay FM. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  4. McGrath, Pat (15 January 2022). "Correspondent who cast his net wide in search of stories". RTÉ. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  5. Siggins, Laura (31 December 2011). "Award-winning RTÉ western editor closes a 46-year career". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  6. Barry, Aoife. "President Higgins pays tribute to RTÉ's Jim Fahy". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  7. McDonald, Brian (31 December 2011). "Fahy heads into the west after almost 40 years on air". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  8. "RADHARC AWARD 2006 PRESENTED TO 'When You Say 4,000 Goodbyes'" (PDF). RADHARC. 5 May 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  9. McDonald, Brian (31 December 2011). "RTÉ's Jim calls it a day after 50 years in journalism". Evening Herald. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  10. "Six One News: Western Editor Jim Fahy signs off on final report". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  11. Power, Jack (15 January 2022). "Former RTÉ western editor Jim Fahy dies". The Irish Times. Dublin. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  12. "Statement of Archbishop Michael Neary on the death of Jim Fahy RIP". Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  13. "Jim Fahy Obituary". Connacht Tribune. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022 – via Legacy.com.
  14. McGrath, Pat (15 January 2022). "Tributes paid to 'voice of the west of Ireland' Jim Fahy". RTÉ. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  15. Moloney, Eoghan (15 January 2022). "Fond tributes as former RTÉ correspondent Jim Fahy dies after short illness". Irish Independent. Dublin. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
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