Death of Terry Wogan is mourned in Castlebar

THE death, following a short illness, of veteran BBC broadcaster Terry Wogan has evoked a deep sense of loss in Mayo's county town of Castlebar.

The 77-year-old Limerick native visited the town back in the late 1970s to present the Castlebar International Song Contest on TV and he made many friends in the town during his stay.

Local man Ronan Courell has posted a lovely photograph on the 'Old Castlebar Photos' Facebook page of Terry Wogan arriving at the TF Royal Hotel where he was greeted by Ronan's late father Tom, public relations officer of the contest and former editor of The Connaught Telegraph, and singer Des Smyth.  

Terry Wogan began his career with RTÉ, but he was best known for his work with the BBC.

In a tribute to him, Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated: 'It is with great sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan.

'Terry’s humour and wit were unparalleled and he graced the top of his broadcasting profession for decades as a reassuring voice on the BBC.

'As an Irishman, Terry Wogan occupied a special place in British listeners’ hearts and he acted in no small way as a bridge between Ireland and Britain.

'His always entertaining, and often unforgiving, commentary of the Eurovision Song Contest provided viewers here and in Britain with endless entertainment.

'He was truly one of Limerick’s finest sons. Our deepest condolences go to his family at this time.'