Take a bow Billy McCarthy, RIP – 1954 to 2016.

The final curtain call.

It is with a very heavy heart, that I heard on Sunday the 20^th November, of the passing of Billy McCarthy, broadcaster on Deise AM, at WLR FM. After a very short illness Billy passed away at University Hospital Waterford.

I first met Billy when I was appointed as CEO of Waterford Chamber and I have to say that there are very few people who you meet in this world, who you instantly take a shine to. There are even fewer people that you genuinely know would be there for you in a crisis, if called upon. Billy was one of those rare people.

He managed to come into your car, living room and kitchen when on the radio. His broadcasts were so personal, you almost felt like he was sitting right next to you and sharing a cup of tea with you, in the comfort of your own home. There are very few who had this magical gift and there can be no doubt that Billy was one of the very best that Ireland and Waterford has ever produced.

Testament to his talent, can be seen in the many thousands of social media messages written over the last few days. Everyone has a very personal message for Billy’s passing and a story that touched their heart.

The UK had Terry, Dublin has Joe and Waterford had Billy.

He really was that good and I for one, have met so many people who instantly smile when you mention what Billy meant to them. I wonder just how many people are able to do that in life let alone in death.

Evidently, Billy was born to be Waterford’s “People’s Champion” and he took to this challenge with gusto, verve and a determination. He had no fear in tearing strips off our representatives for not doing enough for his beloved City and County. He chased for answers like the proverbial dog with a bone. If he could not get hold of the said politician, he was not frightened to let his adoring listeners know that they were hiding! No stone would be unturned in him trying to get the right solutions his Waterford listeners deserved.

Yet, for the next programme segment he would become sympathetic, caring and empathetic. He could switch in an instant and make that transition so seamlessly we just never noticed. The mark of this man was that he did everything so well, for the pure benefit of the listeners.

He was of course, supported by so many professional WLR FM colleagues. In particular Jennifer Long, who produced Billy’s shows. This deadly duo created so many broadcasting moments and memories you could literally fill several hundreds of newspapers with their in depth investigative journalism. I am sure that the whole WLR/Beat team will miss Billy dearly.

For me, Billy’s laugh will be one of his defining memories. A laugh that was instantly recognisable and infectious.

I an era when so much of our lives are played out on social media, every morning, Billy managed to speak regularly to over 20,000 listeners on a daily basis. His listening figures were astonishing and enormous, bearing in mind the many ways open to us in getting our news.

Young and old would tune in every morning at 10 am, to Deise AM, to join Billy in talking about all matters current, regional, national and local. Billy’s passing will leave a huge void in so many of our lives and he will be impossible to replace.

Our radios will be much quieter from now on and yet none of us who knew Billy will forget his radio tones. He lived through a changing Ireland. Seeing and campaigning for the marriage equality referendum, which was so close to his heart.

Our thoughts are with Des and his family through this very difficult time.

Yes, we will miss you Billy McCarthy, but you will never be forgotten. Each and every one of your friends, colleagues and listeners will always remember the moment you touched their hearts.

RIP Billy McCarthy – 1954 to 2016. 

“You can have any colour as long as it’s orange!”

On Sunday 9^th October over 2,000 participants completed the Solas Cancer Support Centre South East Run and Walk for Life. This event is one of the biggest participant events in the South East region and is now one of those annual events, that many a runner and walker make a priority, to train for, and to take part in.

The 2016 event started on the beautiful quays of Ireland’s Oldest City, against the backdrop of the mighty River Suir and the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge. This rises majestically, over 100 metres, as a modern symbol of Waterford in the 21st Century. This mix of young and old was replicated in orange on Sunday. With hundreds of mums, dads, grannies, grandpas, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends and even assorted dogs, all working together to complete the 10-mile run or 5-mile walk.

Everyone wore orange – even some dogs!

There were no other colour choices and, unlike the misquoted Henry Ford, it is the “no other colour option”, for the t-shirt, that makes the Run and Walk for Life the most stunning of visual events. 

It is this tsunami of orange, particularly at the start and finish line, which shows the real commitment of ALL the people who fundraise for the Solas Cancer Support Centre.

As Chair of the organising committee I had once again a very dedicated team of volunteers, supported by Centre staff, delivered another stunning, safe and uplifting event. This committee worked tirelessly, in the background, putting the necessary logistics in place that allowed so many to raise the necessary funds to allow the Centre to operate its support services. Such has been the success of the fundraising efforts that a Dungarvan support service has been introduced to provide for the population in the “wesht” of the County.

Having helped marshal, with the Garland Clan and Waterford Business Group, on the busy junction at the John’s Street, we moved to the finish line. But not before I afforded myself the opportunity to have some great fun and interaction, aided and abetted by a loudhailer. “Negative encouragement!” was one comment from a bystander, listening intently to “Sherk the Steward”.

At the finish line we organised the Fun for Life. There were numerous food stalls, play areas and enough bouncy castles to keep even the most hyperactive child amused for hours on end.

I positioned myself just a few meters away from the line to try to acknowledge every runner and walker that crossed, having completed either the 10-mile or 5-mile route. It was so refreshing and emotional to see the thousands of people breaking the timing beam, having completed and finished their respective courses.

Witnessing tears of joy and obvious tears of sadness, it was an emotional rollercoaster for anyone who watched the finishers. Many who burst into tears were very obviously remembering loved ones that they had lost to cancer and by completing the course, in their honour, their cherished memories will live on forever.

There were dogs pulling their owners, owners pulling their dogs, mums pushing double buggies, parents collecting their very small children and crossing the line holding hands. It was a sight to bring tears of joy to every pair of eyes.

The Solas Cancer Support Centre South East Run and Walk for Life is truly a mammoth voluntary team endeavour. The tens of stewards lining the route, the tens of people handing out water, bananas, “healthy bars” (some chocolate as well but it is nice to get a treat!), the support services who provided medical support, other voluntary groups who marshalled key road traffic junctions, and so on. All of these people played their part in making the 2016 event another benchmark success story.

The bar well and truly has been raised.

Regular readers will know that I am involved in many a Waterford committee and I have to go on record as saying that the Run and Walk for Life Committee and the wider voluntary team, are very special. They, to a man and a woman, knew what was needed and delivered in spades. 

Orange has always been the new black here in Waterford.