Tributes have poured in on social media, following the news of Larry Gogan’s death.
Known as the man with the golden voice, Larry was at the very heart of 2fm – and RTÉ – for over 50 years.
Fans and friends of the broadcaster have been left heartbroken by the news, and payed their respects on social media this morning.
Fellow broadcaster Joe Duffy tweeted: “Larry Gogan RIP From ‘Just A MinuteQuiz” to the Golden Hour Larry was the soundtrack of our lives from the 1960s-2020s.”
Larry Gogan RIP From ‘Just A MinuteQuiz” to the Golden Hour Larry was the soundtrack of our lives from the 1960s-2020s.I visited him ten days ago , he was in his usual great form with his loving family,his beautiful honeyed voice,the quick wit and deep intelligence shone through
— JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) January 7, 2020
“I visited him ten days ago, he was in his usual great form with his loving family, his beautiful honeyed voice, the quick wit and deep intelligence shone through.”
Check out more tributes to Larry below:
Larry Gogan a dear friend. A wonderful man.
May he rest in peace. @rte @RTElyricfm pic.twitter.com/sau8gax8AK— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) January 7, 2020
Rest In Peace Larry Gogan. You were a legend and you were loved x pic.twitter.com/7nq6HyyrR4
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) January 7, 2020
I’m genuinely Shocked! This gentleman was the very reason so many of us got into radio. His professionalism, sharp wit and tight style was a standard only achieved with diligence and great personality R.I.P. Larry #larrygogan https://t.co/QMebWCOyTI
— Fergal D’Arcy (@FERGDARCY) January 7, 2020
Ah, no. RIP Larry Gogan. I knew him for almost 40 years. No nicer man in broadcasting. Deepest sympathy to Dave and all the family.
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) January 7, 2020
Very sad news about Larry Gogan. A tremendous music broadcaster whose enthusiasm for the gig came through the speaker – and that’s rarer than you’d think. Legend.
— Richie McCormåck (@RichieMcCormack) January 7, 2020
Rest In Peace Larry Gogan. The few times I recorded with him for TV or radio he was such a gentleman. Always very kind and humble, despite the star he was. pic.twitter.com/GOCwKLW4Az
— Colm Flynn (@ColmFlynn1) January 7, 2020
I’ll never forget the day Larry Gogan was on after me on @RTE2fm. Before my own show had started I saw him arriving for work… over 3 hours early! This wasn’t just a music show, it was serious business and he adored it. I was insanely starstruck. RIP, Larry. A gent. #LarryGogan pic.twitter.com/UFRI2ZcRa7
— Declan Pierce (@DecPierce) January 7, 2020
What a sad news bulletin on RTE this morning… Larry Gogan’s death followed by details of Marian Finucane’s funeral. Thinking of their families and everyone in @rte, particularly @SineadCrowley
— Sarah Bermingham (@SarahKEB) January 7, 2020
Another sad day for broadcasting. Rest In Peace Larry Gogan. An utter gentleman. A consummate broadcaster. He will be greatly missed. #LarryGogan pic.twitter.com/VfHN9lJO3E
— Simon Delaney (@SimonDelaneyEsq) January 7, 2020
Ah no. I’m so sad to hear of the passing of Larry Gogan.
I have such fond memories of working with him on ‘Seoige’ with my sis @grainne_seoige
They say the better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to big yourself up.
This was true about #LarryGogan
A true star.— Síle Seoige (@SileSeoige) January 7, 2020
Part of the original line-up for Radio 2 in 1979, Larry began with RTÉ Radio in the 1960’s, latterly presenting for RTÉ Gold.
Dee Forbes, Director General, RTÉ said: “Larry Gogan was a legend, and a genuine national institution. He transcended generations – whether it was a hilarious moment on the Just a Minute Quiz, the breakneck countdown of the weekly top 40, or the first play of a Christmas song – Larry didn’t just preserve these traditions, he created them.”
“Legendary, cross-generational, universally popular: The Golden Hour and the ‘Just a Minute Quiz’ were national institutions, just the like the man himself.”
“He returns now to his beloved Florrie – we are the poorer for his loss, but the richer for having known this gentleman of the airwaves.”
Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM said, “Larry was a huge part of the foundation on which 2FM was built – he was, arguably, the greatest music DJ in Irish broadcasting history; that gorgeous voice; that genius with a link; that love for the music.”
“Larry won all the major radio awards in Ireland but over and above them all he had the one that mattered most: universal popularity. Everyone loved Larry, and we’ll all miss him deeply.”
Lorcan ‘Larry’ Gogan (born 1938) broadcast his first radio programme on RTÉ Radio 1, and was in the original line-up in 1979 of RTÉ Radio 2 (which later became RTÉ 2fm), where he spun the first disc. He presented a regular show there until 2019.
Larry presented The Golden Hour up until February 2014. Famous for his “Just a Minute Quiz”, his catchphrases are universally recalled (“They didn’t really suit you”).
Larry also presented a variety of television programmes including Pickin’ The Pops, Go 2 Show and The Golden Hour. He commentated frequently on the Eurovision Song Contest. On 8 January 2019, he moved from 2FM to RTÉ Gold – he presented his last programme on 2FM on Thursday 31 January.
Larry met his wife Florrie when she was 15. Both their fathers ran newspaper shops in Dublin. They were engaged two years later and married when she was 21.
He is survived by his five children – Gerard, Orla, Grainne, David and Sinead – and 12 grandchildren. Florrie died in January 2002.
Larry won many awards. A Jacob’s winner, he was also awarded the IRMA Honours Award “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish music”, and the Industry Award at the 2007 Meteor Awards.