Tributes for the Waterford singer and entertainer Val Doonican following his death.
Born in 1927, Michael Valentine Doonican started performing in his home town Waterford before moving to England in the 1950's.
He enjoyed considerable chart success in the 1950s with his band 'The Four Ramblers' and began a solo career in the 1960s. He hosted 'The Val Doonican Show' on the BBC for more than 20 years.
Doonican became famous for his relaxed style, his rocking chair and well known guest artists.
As a singer, Val Doonican claimed his biggest influence was Bing Crosby. Waterford journalist John O'Connor describes the entertainer for modern audiences.
He was Ant and Dec, Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton all rolled into one.
Val Doonican lived in Buckinghamshire and stopped performing in 2009. In 2011, he was bestowed with the freedom of Waterford City.
Aged 88 when he died Val Doonican is survived by his wife Lynn, daughters Sarah and Fiona, and grandchildren.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 July 2015. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.
