LIMERICK-based journalist Arthur Quinlan has died at the age of 92 having worked as a freelance reporter in the Mid West for over 50 years.
A native of Dublin, he was raised in Quin, Co Clare and spent most of his life in Limerick. He was well known for reporting the news from Shannon airport where, along with covering state visits and celebrity stopovers, he secured many news stories for the national and international press.
He was one of the few journalists to interview South American revolutionary Che Guevara, and former Yugoslavia President Josip Broz Tito. He interviewed every US president from Harry S Truman to George W Bush and is also said to have taught Cuban Fidel Castro how to make an Irish Coffee.
He worked as Mid West correspondent with the Irish Times and RTÉ and was a long-time member of the National Union of Journalists, having served as president of the Mid West branch for many years.
NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley said that the union had lost “a loyal, committed and distinguished member”
“He was a kind and generous colleague, full of stories and blessed with a wonderful sense of fun. Arthur was a passionate advocate for the development of the Mid West region, especially Shannon Airport, and as a national correspondent was recognised as ‘Mr Limerick’.”
“Arthur was a member of honour of the union, the highest accolade awarded by the NUJ. He served as chairman of the Irish South West branch and was especially committed to the welfare of members,” Mr Dooley said.
A keen golfer, he was a member of Castletroy and Lahinch Golf Clubs where his late wife Vera served as lady captain. He was also a longtime member and former president of Shannon Rowing Club.
He is survived by his son Tom and daughters Ann and Joyce.
The late Arthur Quinlan, who inspired and assisted several generations of young Irish journalists
