There have been many tributes from the worlds of media and entertainment to the RTÉ broadcaster Marian Finucane whose death was announced on Thursday evening.
Speaking on RTÉ News Six One, Liveline presenter Joe Duffy described Marian Finucane as "the voice of reason".
"That's my sense of Marian Finucane," he continued. "She asked everything you would ask before you made your mind up.
I am deeply saddened by the death of Marian Finucane .She was the voice of reason on the national airwaves for 40 years. Fair, welcoming ,reassuring , trusting and trusted , charming yet inquisitive she was a unique broadcaster. RIP
— JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) January 2, 2020
"She invented Liveline. It grew out of Women Today."
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RTÉ News Six One presenter Keelin Shanley wrote on Twitter, describing Marian Finucane as "a hero to me".
So sad and shocked to hear of Marian Finucane's death. She was a hero to me, the most skillful interviewer, with endless curiosity and wicked humour. RIP
— Keelin Shanley (@KeelinShanley) January 2, 2020
Writer and broadcaster Dr Ciara Kelly said Marian Finucane was "an absolute legend" and "a powerhouse who broke every mould".
"She was also v[ery] good to broadcasters like me who came up behind her," she added in her tribute on Twitter.
I find this so hard to believe😔
— Ciara Kelly (@ciarakellydoc) January 2, 2020
She was an absolute legend
A powerhouse who broke every mould...& she was also v good to broadcasters like me who came up behind her.
Like Gaybo shes irreplaceable #Marian
Death announced of RTÉ broadcaster Marian Finucane https://t.co/QWwVPElLY9
Her comments were echoed by presenter Laura Whitmore, who said Marian Finucane had "paved the way for so many women in journalism and broadcast".
RIP Marian Finucane - you paved the way for so many women in journalism and broadcast. I was so honoured to have been interviewed by you on your radio show and you'll always be a role model. Professional, warm and so… https://t.co/kjPDSTAIh4
— Laura Whitmore (@thewhitmore) January 2, 2020
Fair City star Rory Cowan said Marian Finucane was "fabulous" and wrote of her kindness when he appeared recently as a guest on her RTÉ Radio 1 weekend show.
I heard the sad news that Marian Finucane @RTERadio1 died as I was driving home from town. Marian was fabulous. She interviewed me a few months ago on her show. It was my first interview after my book was released. She was lovely. This news is a terrible start to the New Year. https://t.co/5BDgnLUP93
— Rory Cowan (@1rorycowan) January 2, 2020
Chef Neven Maguire, a regular guest on Marian Finucane's programme, also remembered her kindness, writing that "she was so good to me".
So so sorry hear of the passing of the wonderful Marian Finucane gutted time hear this she was so good to me tought and prayers for the family may she rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏🙏😔😔Ledgent and a lady
— Neven Maguire (@nevenmaguire) January 2, 2020
Former Republic of Ireland player and football pundit Paul McGrath said Marian Finucane was "a wonderful lady" who "always treated me with patience and kindness throughout interviews over the years".
So sad to hear of the passing of Marian Finucane, Marian always treated me with patience and kindness throughout interviews over the years.
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) January 2, 2020
What a wonderful lady, my thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. R.I.P 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UUb5nNnW7J
Marian Finucane's friend Dr Maureen Gaffney told RTÉ News: "There are so few people that are known nationally by their first name, and she was one. I think she was the nation's sort of older sister. I never had an older sister, but if I had, she'd have been the one I wanted."
Here are some more of the many tributes to Marian Finucane:
In the mid 1990s I was involved in a wages/better conditions dispute in a factory. The entire strategy was how to get this aired on #liveline.
— Dr Elaine Byrne (@ElaineByrne) January 2, 2020
We knew if Marian Finucane listened no one would ignore us anymore. She did, and our wages were doubled. Thanks for listening Marian.
Ah, that's very sad about the death of Marian Finucane. A lovely woman and a brilliant broadcaster, it was always a pleasure to do an interview with her; just the easy intelligence of her. She will be missed.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) January 2, 2020
Irish families all over the world will touch base about this news - the best of tributes. Marian Finucane was a broadcasting pioneer, relatable, tough, with an infectious laugh. I loved joining her shows. #RIPhttps://t.co/W6qd59YxpM
— Pól Ó Conghaile (@poloconghaile) January 2, 2020
So sorry and shocked to hear of the sudden death of Marian Finucane. She paved the way for so many female broadcasters, and her amazing career was testament to her talent. My thoughts are with her family this evening.
— Sarah McInerney (@SarahAMcInerney) January 2, 2020
So shocked and sad to hear this news... she paved the way for so many female broadcasters in particular. RIP Marian Finucane. A Powerhouse 💙💙 https://t.co/1kAHKQXhtb
— Deirdre O'Kane (@DeirdreOKane1) January 2, 2020
Really shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Marian Finucane. I have been on her show many, many times and always found her to be a lovely warm person and a consummate broadcaster. RIP.
— Conor Pope (@conor_pope) January 2, 2020
I don't know how many times I was researching a guest & my first thought was, "Did #MarianFinucane interview them?" I’d find the chat in the archives 10 times out of 10 it would be the most insightful conversation to be found with that person. She was a game changer. So so sad. pic.twitter.com/MCneOa0ItG
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) January 2, 2020
