Former RTÉ presenter and producer Alf McCarthy has died after a short illness.
He was a presenter of Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1 until his retirement in 2015.
Mr McCarthy died at Cork University Hospital last night aged 73.
He spent more than 35 years on air and presented his final programme in December 2015.
"I love the intimacy of radio and have enjoyed the privilege of being allowed into people's lives and hearts every night," he said ahead of his retirement.
Born in 1950, Mr McCarthy was performing on stage and as a DJ when he began his broadcasting career with RTÉ Radio Cork in 1979 and is best known in the city for presenting the current affairs and arts programme Corkabout for over 20 years.
He went on to present on RTÉ One TV programme PM Live with Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy.
He created the comedy and satire series Shortt Circuit, The Usual Suspects and Bull Island and produced documentaries such as The Cleggan Disaster, Early Doors No More and A Tale of Three Cities.
His television credits included Live at 3, PM Live and Down Here with a View to Above.
Mr McCarthy was also an award-winning actor and appeared in The Dresser, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Woman in Black and The Odd Couple in the Everyman Theatre in Cork and the film Strength and Honour.
Following his retirement from RTÉ, he presented a music podcast called Late with Alf.
He is survived by his daughters Sarah and Ruth, and seven grandchildren.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst described Mr McCarthy as "a popular presenter who loved radio" and "a man of many talents".
In a statement, Mr Bakhurst said: "We were saddened to learn this morning of the passing of our friend and former colleague, Alf McCarthy who died yesterday.
"We remember Alf as a popular presenter who loved radio, who loved broadcasting, who loved people and who loved performing.
"All of these traits shone through in his long and distinguished career in RTÉ which spanned more than 35 years, from 1979 to 2015.
"During his time in RTÉ, as well as being a much-loved colleague, he was best known as presenter of Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1, as one of the popular presenters of Live at Three and PM Live on RTÉ One television and, of course, as host of the current affairs and arts programme, Corkabout on RTE Radio Cork - and on RTÉ Radio 1 - which he presented for more than 20 years.
"A man of many talents and interests, he also created satirical and comedy series, and produced a number of documentaries for RTÉ."
Mr Bakhurst said that Mr McCarthy "will be sorely missed" by his family and his friends "across RTÉ, past and present".
