Alf McCarthy (1950 – 17 April 2024)[2] was an Irish radio and television broadcaster who worked primarily with Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ).

Alf McCarthy
Born1950 (1950)[1]
Ballinlough, Cork, Ireland
Died (aged 73)
Wilton, Cork, Ireland
OccupationBroadcaster
Years active1979–2015
EmployerRaidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)
Notable work

Early life edit

Born in Ballinlough in Cork in 1950, McCarthy was educated at Sullivan's Quay CBS and as a boarder at St Francis College in Rochestown.[3] His father worked as a stonemason and had a yard on Copley Street in Cork.[4] His father, known as Buddy Mac, was also a band leader and saxophonist in several showbands. McCarthy had a number of jobs after school, including factory worker, pizzeria manager, TV rental company worker, encyclopedia salesman and labourer with Irish Steel.[5][6]

Career edit

McCarthy was performing on stage and as a DJ when he began his broadcasting career with RTÉ Radio Cork in 1979. He spent 20 years presenting local current affairs and arts programme Corkabout.[7] He created the comedy and satire series Shortt Circuit, The Usual Suspects and Bull Island, which was later adapted for television, as well as producing a number of documentaries. McCarthy's television credits included Live at 3, PM Live and Down Here with a View to Above. He retired from RTÉ in December 2015,[8] by which stage he was presenting Late Date on RTÉ Radio One.[9]

Death edit

McCarthy died at Cork University Hospital on 17 April 2024, at the age of 73.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Former RTÉ presenter Alf McCarthy dies aged 73". RTÉ News. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Tributes paid to veteran RTÉ broadcaster and producer Alf McCarthy". Irish Times. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  3. ^ "RTÉ presenter Alf McCarthy hangs up his microphone for the last time tonight". Irish Examiner. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Character of Cork: Alf's long career is still going strong". The Echo. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Tributes paid after death of veteran RTÉ presenter Alf McCarthy (73)". Irish Independent. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Alf McCarthy: Retiring from radio aged 65 was 'soul destroying'". Echo Live. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Cork broadcaster Alf McCarthy dies aged 73". Hot Press. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Alf signs off tonight with last 'Late Date'". Irish Independent. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Late Date's Alf McCarthy is signing off". RTÉ News. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Tributes as Cork broadcaster Alf McCarthy dies aged 73". Irish Examiner. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.

External Links edit