The following is a statement issued by the Irish Film Board on the sudden passing of IFB Chairman Bill O’Herlihy. We at Scannain wish to send our deepest condolences to his freinds and family. A true legend in Irish broadcasting, and a patron of the arts, O’Herlihy shall be missed by the generations that grew up watching him on-screen.
Bill O’Herlihy, our beloved and esteemed Chairman and colleague, has passed away. The Irish Film Board and its staff wish to extend their sincerest sympathies to his wife Hillary and his daughters Jill and Sally, to all his relatives and to his wide circle of friends.
As Chairman of the Board, he was a great advocate for the Irish Film Board and worked tirelessly to support the promotion and development of the culture of film and of the film industry in Ireland. He will be greatly missed by his fellow board members and by all the staff of the Irish Film Board.
Board member Annie Doona said “Bill was a wonderful Chairman to work with. All of the board members very much appreciated his dedication, warm-heartedness and commitment, both at board meetings and in the promotion of the work of the Irish Film Board. He will be hugely missed by all the members of the board”.
James Hickey, CEO of the IFB said that “It was a great personal pleasure for me to get to know Bill when he was appointed as Chair of the Irish Film Board three years ago. In those three years, he was a constant promoter of the work of the Irish Film Board, both in public and behind the scenes. He was wonderful company to be with and was always full of good humour and kindness with everyone he met. We will all miss him greatly”.