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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.

• Your Name: Ultan Guilfoyle

I have only ‘discovered’ Ian McGarry today, having seen his name many times in the credits of programmes and Eurovisions. To learn more about this man, I finally searched his name in curiosity, after digesting the credits of the 1997 Eurovision in The Point, where Ian’s name lingers over the final wide shot of Katrina and the Waves. I cannot believe he has only just departed in the past few days.

My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. His music direction style was solid, ‘classical’, and justly favoured the dynamism of a long-sequence jib-arm shot – using the innovation to its fullest potential.

It’s clear from video clips and comments here that he was a supremely talented and much-loved figure, who has left a significant contribution to Irish cultural life.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

• Your Name: Graham Hickey

Oh how sad to hear this. I still remember the day he rang me in the Radio Centre in 1981 & asked me to drop over to his office (in one of those ubiquitous Portakabins, as I recollect) for a chat. ‘You know we have to do the Eurovision Sing Contest’, he said. ‘Would you be interested in presenting it?’ And so it came to pass. A gentleman, always.

• Your Name: Doireann Ní Bhrian

The passing of Ian this week in July 2023 really got me thinking and reliving great days of fun, laughter and hard work. I never could understand how Ian could remain so calm when there were so much action going on all around, never phased or confused, Ian just got the job done.

I started to think about the Eurovision Song Contest in 1982 with The Duskey’s, representing Ireland with Here Today Gone Tomorrow, maybe not our most successful entry, but Ian managed to make it really special with a Visit to Dublin Zoo to film the prelim video to send out to the Eurovision networks. What a giggle, I look at it and smile. In fact, so many of the shows and commercials we filmed together make me smile. Working with Sandy Kelly on her brilliant TV series, amazing guests and Ian really stretched Sandy’s incredible vocals with the choices of some of the songs we choose together.

I have to mention a great trip to Nashville with Ian, Sandy Kelly and Kieran Cavanagh as part of the recording of The Showman’s Daughter, this trip led to Sandy’s opportunities to record with some of Country Music’s best, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell, in fact a whole album of great duets. The TV show was a great success, all 26 episodes.

We filmed the videos and TV commercials for Sandy’s “Crazy” and “Sweet Dreams” in Malahide Castle, I learned so much sitting close to Ian and taking it all in. I never got in the way, did I? Just loved being a part of Ian’s creations.

We worked on some more Videos, Ballads, Shawn Conors and any opportunity to create video and television programmes.

We did great video’s for Frank McNamara and David Agnew’s album including TV commercials, same for John Hogan all with Ian in command as Producer/Director, always Ian, I wonder why?

So why not do our own series of TV shows. Celtic Note……….. Dubliners, Horslips, Paddy Reilly, Margo, Jim McCann all presented by Sandy Kelly and John McNicholl.

None of the above would have happened without the encouragement from Ian and his willingness to work with us.

For the experience, the fun, the education, Thanks Ian. For your help when I needed information and research, ask Ian McGarry, he knows……….. especially for friendship.

Can’t remember where the pics came from ( well my camera), date and time not so sure, but Ian and Jane look fabulous.

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• Your Name: Shay Hennessy