Fred O’Donovan, the former Chair of the RTÉ Authority passed away on Friday, May 14th. He acted as Chairman of the RTÉ Authority from 1981 to 1985,
A release from RTÉ states: “Fred made a distinguished contribution to national broadcasting. He was a pioneering Irish impresario, a mentor to talented artistes and an astute show business manager. “
Following the news of Mr. O’Donovan’s passing Chair of the RTÉ Board, Tom Savage said: “I have learned with sadness that Fred O’Donovan died this morning. On behalf of RTÉ, I offer condolences to Fred’s wife, Sally, to his daughters and his son, and to his brother, Bill, formerly Head of RTÉ 2FM. Irish entertainment and performance - on stage and screen, as well as in broadcasting – owe so much to Fred’s creative flair and confidence. We have all lost a good and gracious friend.”
The release from RTÉ further states that “Fred O’Donovan was held in great affection by many in the world of arts and culture, particularly theatre. He produced hundreds of theatre productions including Gaels of Laughter, Christmas pantomimes, Jury's Irish Cabaret, Juno and the Paycock with Peter O'Toole, Siobhan McKenna, and Jack McGowran, Man and Superman with Susannah York and Peter O'Toole, Annie, annual shows for Frank Patterson at Carnegie Hall, New York, and The National Concert Hall, Dublin of which he was the first Chairman. In January of this year John McColgan produced a special Gaels of Laughter tribute show to Fred O’Donovan at the Gaiety Theatre. His contribution to Irish theatre lasted to the very end as he remained on the board of the Gaiety School of Acting up to his passing today.”
