Condolence book opens for Terry Wogan
An on-line condolence book has been opened by Limerick Council in memory of the much-loved broadcaster Terry Wogan who died on Saturday after a short illness.
Terry Wogan died from cancer on Sunday. He was 77. His family issued a statement, saying: "Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer. He passed away surrounded by his family. While we understand he will be missed by many, the family ask that their privacy is respected at this time."
Born in Limerick, Wogan was educated at the Jesuit-run Crescent College. He went on to have a 50-year career on television and radio, including presenting Wake up to Wogan on BBC Radio 2 and the Wogan chat show. He was also the voice of the Eurovision on the BBC for more than 30 years.
The Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny was among many who paid tribute to him, saying he "acted in no small way as a bridge between Ireland and Britain."
Wogan married Helen Joyce on 25 April 1965. They lived in Taplow, Buckinghamshire,with another home in Gascony, southwestern France. They had four children (one of whom, a daughter Vanessa, died when only a few weeks old) and five grandchildren. In 2010 Wogan spoke about the anguish he felt on the loss of his baby daughter.
Wogan was brought up and educated as a Catholic. In an interview with Gay Byrne on the RTÉ religious programme The Meaning of Life and in the Irish newspaper The Sunday Independent, he stated that he was an atheist but respected those who have "the gift of faith". He was a long-term friend of Catholic priest and broadcaster Brian D'Arcy, who administered the weddings of his children. D'Arcy said that in his deeds, Wogan was "certainly the most spiritual, faith-filled man in the world". D'Arcy provided pastoral care to Wogan and his family in the last days of his life.
To sign the condolence book visit: www.limerick.ie/council/terry-wogan-book-condolence