A Life in Words and Pictures
R.I.P. Ian
You will be missed but never forgotten and for all the right reasons. Your compassion for your fellow man, your justness, kindness and your professionalism dealing with every facet of life. Now that’s a very hard act to follow. One of the greats if not the greatest talent of the TV world.
R.I.P. Ian, my old friend. You knocked it out of the park. Mickx
Ian was a lovely man, and it was a pleasure sharing company with him when we were in Chatel or seeing how patient he was as an instructor when our paths crossed on the slopes. You and Ian together contributed so much to making our family visits to Chatel very special.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone.
Love, Paul, Joanna and Eilidh
Ian trained me to be a ski instructor. He was so technically detailed in his teaching, and so accomplished, that it should have been intimidating. But instead he was so calm, and quiet-spoken, and approachable. Despite his huge achievements, I never once heard him brag.
A lovely man, and a huge loss.
My condolences to Jane, Tamsen, Kirsty and the rest of the family.
Drummer par excellence-or just a great drummer(among other talents).
I first saw him with blues band Bluesville and with Peter Adler and The Action and later with the RTÉ Light(now Concert) Orchestra. We often talked about drummers and drum equipment-I remember how much he liked my kit of Yamaha RC9000 which he played at a PRTV Golf outing in my home club The Royal Dublin.
Many years ago, someone referred to Ian as “ ActionMan”. Not surprising as he was a skier, a motor racing enthusiast and a pilot along with being a TV cameraman and later a TV director. And he was very good at everything.
But I’ll remember him most as a musician of great talent and an extremely nice guy-even tempered and understanding of other’s predicaments even under pressure!!
Safe travels through the cosmos with memories of a mortal life well lived!!
For a long time Ian and Bil Keating were friends and. Good friends they always seemed to have each other backs, hopefully in heaven the friendship will be as strong and they both will shine a bright starlight on us who are left behind.
Johnny
I can’t tell how sad I was to hear of Ian’s passing. You must be heartbroken. He was just the kindest, gentlest person I have ever known. I have so many fond memories of times with Ian. From Summers in Dublin to BASI courses in Scotland, Austria, France and Andorra. It must have been awful for you to see his slow decline but you know now that he is at peace. God bless Jane, our thoughts are with you, Kirsty & Tamsin. Martin & Deirdre.
Fran O’Toole solo on Me and My Music recorded in June 1975. Programme produced by Ian McGarry. I was honoured that Ian attended my slideshow and the aforementioned tv show in the Royal Hotel Bray November 2015. RIP Ian
From New York City, where I have lived for the last thirty years, I am so sorry to learn of Ian’s passing. As many others have said, he was not only a role-model, a mentor and an all-around wonderful man, he also helped me, as my career lumbered into fruition.
Annexe 3 in RTE was a laugh factory. Working for Mike Murphy on The Live Mike, I shared an office with Larry Masterson and John Keogh, and the little building rocked with laughter from morning to night. Occasionally, Ian and Carolyn would peer around the door and say, “Anyone for coffee?” The answer was always yes. Ian looked after me as I applied to a job in the BBC, counseling me on studio direction and production as I made my way through the interviews. We lost touch when I got the job, and moved to London.
Earlier, Avril McRory, Michael Murphy, and I did a piece with Ian for Youngline in which he ‘taught’ me to ski on the plastic slope in Kilternan. This was the first time I put on skis, and I have figuratively never taken them off since.
We all loved Ian. It was impossible not to. Like everyone else here, I am loving the stories, the anecdotes, the memories. I hope someone tells the story of Ian sitting in on drums with Van Morrison on the Late Late. Larry Masterson, John Keogh, probably Tony Boland and I watched one of the rehearsals. It was wonderful. Ian’s good humour carried him through Van’s glowering demeanour.
Thank you, Ian. You are a mensch. And I am proud to have known you, even for a very short time.
So sorry to hear that Ian McGarry has passed away. A fabulous drummer and TV producer, Ian produced ‘Me And My Music’ the last TV show that our band mate, Fran O’Toole, ever recorded. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKDdEJBWQRg&t=1656s
