Night of celebration for Ballivor broadcaster and producer

Broadcaster and radio producer John Quinn was recently celebrated at an event in his native Ballivor. A special night was held to celebrate the life and memories of this son of Ballivor, in what was the first event for adults to be held in the new library at St Kinneth’s.

Born in Ballivor, the much-loved broadcaster has been the recipient of numerous prestigious radio awards during his 25 years with RTÉ. He is also a writer of fiction and non-fiction, including Sea of Love, Sea of Loss: Letters to Olive, an intimate and inspiring book written as a tribute to his late wife.

A skilful and engaging storyteller, his children’s novel, The Summer of Lily and Esme, was described as an instant classic and won the 1992 Bisto Children s Book of the year. John wrote a biography of Sean Boylan, Meath football manager.

His memoir 'Goodnight Ballivor, I’ll Sleep in Trim' was adapted into a TG4 documentary. A special showing of the documentary preceded an evening of John recalling the Ballivor of 50 and 60 years ago. John was full of praise for Meath County Council and the County Library Service for the provision of the new library in Ballivor. In attendance were Cllr Aisling Dempsey and Cllr Noel French. Aisling’s relatives were mentioned frequently in John’s remembrances as the family has strong connections to the area.

Cllr French also paid tribute to the Council and Library service for the provision of the new library. He thanked John for his contribution and described him as a “local and national hero”.