Tributes have been paid to a legendary figure in Irish journalism who was laid to rest in Limerick yesterday.
Arthur Quinlan (92) was best known for his work with The Irish Times, while working out of Shannon Airport in a career that spanned more than 50 years.
He also worked for RTÉ television and radio during the 1960s and 1970s and covered many stories for international news agencies and broadcasting organisations.
A native of Quin in Co Clare, he met countless world leaders, stars and royalty, as they passed through Shannon Airport.
He interviewed every president of the United States from Harry Truman to George Bush snr and many Soviet leaders.
He interviewed the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Margaret, Prince Rainier of Monaco and his wife, Grace Kelly; and Hollywood screen stars such as Cary Grant, Maureen O’Hara and Marlene Dietrich.
Quinlan famously taught Fidel Castro how to make an Irish coffee and is said to be the only western journalist to have interviewed Che Guevara.
At his funeral Mass at the Holy Rosary Church in Limerick yesterday, his godson, chief celebrant Fr James McMahon of Glenstal Abbey, recalled how journalism had enriched Quinlan’s life.
Fr McMahon, whose family are close friends with the Quinlans, told mourners that Quinlan had died on December 22nd last, eight months to the day that “his beloved wife, Vera, died”.
Among those present at yesterday’s funeral Mass were many of Arthur’s media colleagues from RTÉ, the Irish Examiner, the Limerick Leader newspaper and The Irish Times.