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| Éamon de Buitléar |
It is with a heavy heart that we
learned of the passing of the great Éamon de Buitléar. To
generations of Irish people Éamon has been lifelong presence and figure of
inspiration through his love of the Irish landscape and wildlife, Irish music, language
and culture and by being one of the pioneering broadcasters of his generation.
Éamon has been a long-time friend of NUI
Galway and its James Hardiman Library. At a ceremony on campus last November, Éamon
deposited his unique and vast archive to NUI Galway which will be catalogued,
digitised and made available for researchers by the James Hardiman Library and Acadamh
na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. This collection is a treasure for the nation and
one which documents the incredible life, work and legacy of Éamon de Buitléar.
President of NUI Galway, Dr. Jim
Browne made the following statement:
"On behalf of NUI Galway
and the university community, I extend sincere condolences to the family and
friends of Éamon de Buitléar.
Éamon de Buitléar was an outstanding figure of modern Ireland. An exceptional film-maker, a committed
environmentalist, a public intellectual, author, musician and member of Seanad
Éireann - he was a man of many parts and a man whose contribution to Irish
society has enriched the lives of many generations.
We in NUI Galway are deeply honored by our association with Éamon de
Buitléar. His decision to donate his
rich multi-media, bi-lingual archive to the University will mean that his
lifetime’s work of creativity and advocacy will be held in trust here for the
nation and for generations of scholars.
We are proud to have been entrusted with that task."
At the launch ceremony for the de
Buitlèar Archive last November those present had the privilege of not just
hearing Éamon speak but also witness him playing wonderful music on the mouth organ. Also on
that evening the following video was screened and is a touching tribute to the
great work and legacy of Éamon de Buitléar as well as to his endearing spirit.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Ní
bheidh a leithéidí ann arís
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