Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí

Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí
Born(1970-05-06)6 May 1970
Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Died19 September 2023(2023-09-19) (aged 53)
NationalityIrish
OccupationPresenter
EmployerRTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
TelevisionRónán ar an Camino (TG4)
FatherFionntán Mac Aodha Bhuí

Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí (6 May 1970 – 19 September 2023) was an Irish broadcaster who broadcast mainly through Irish. He is known particularly for his popular magazine programme Rónán Beo on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. He was born on 6 May 1970 in Cork,[1] but was brought up in Gweedore, in the Donegal gaeltacht, where he attended Bunscoil Bhun Bhig and Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. He was the youngest son of the author Fionntán Mac Aodha Bhuí and came from a family of eight.[2]

Life and career

Mac Aodha Bhuí studied journalism in Dublin before going on to work at several different radio stations, including Radio Ireland, RTÉ and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. He has also written for the Irish language publications Anois, and Nós. Outside of his work at Raidió na Gaeltachta, he was active in the entertainment industry and established An Ciorcal Craiceáilte, now defunct, and An Cabaret Craiceáilte, which aims to bring entertainment, particularly music, to Gaeltacht areas and to Gweedore in particular. An Cabaret Craiceáilte usually takes place once a month, and annually at The Soma Festival in Castlewellan, County Down.

Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí had enjoyed much acclaim and popularity, and in 2011 won the Celtic Media award for Radio Personality of the Year.[3] He had also been awarded two Oireachtas media awards, for Radio Personality of the Year and Radio Series of the Year (for his programme Rónán Beo@3) respectively.[4]

In 2013, he presented the series Rónán ar an Camino on TG4, based on his experiences walking the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago).[5]

Mac Aodha Bhuí died in Gweedore, County Donegal on 19 September 2023, at the age of 53.[6]

Legacy

To commemorate his impact on the Irish language, an annual festival 'Dorn San Aer' was created in his memory.[7] The festival, which began in 2024 and takes place in Gweedore[8], takes its title from the revolutionary mantra that was a favourite expression of Mac Aodha Bhuí.[9]

Irish rap group Kneecap dedicated the signing of their 2023 record deal to Mac Aodha Bhuí[10].

References

  1. ^ An interview on beo.ie
  2. ^ O'Rourke, Frances. "First Encounters: Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí". The Irish Times. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  3. ^ Raidio na Gaeltachta website, announcing his win Archived 23 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ 2 Radio Awards for Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, Gaelport
  5. ^ Rónán ar an Camino (Comedy, Reality-TV, Talk-Show), Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, TG4, Waddell Media, 21 February 2013, retrieved 19 August 2025{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ "RTÉ RnaG broadcaster Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí has died". RTÉ. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ^ Browne, Niamh. "Bernadette McAliskey to lead Dorn San Aer festival to celebrate life of Ronán Mac Aodha Bhuí". Hotpress. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Údarás na Gaeltachta welcomes the Dorn san Aer 2024 festival | News". Údarás na Gaeltachta. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  9. ^ McGee, Harry. "Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí: An all-round Irish revolutionary gets the tribute he deserves". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  10. ^ Roy, David (20 September 2023). "Kneecap sign record deal, dedicate it to Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí". The Irish News. Retrieved 19 August 2025.