The funeral has taken place of Larry Gogan

The funeral took place this morning of Larry Gogan. A huge turnout of well-wishers from the music, entertainment and media industry, signalling the huge respect in which Larry was held by people all over Ireland, gathered in St. Pius X Church in Templeogue.
Leading the service was his friend and former colleague, Father Brian D'Arcy, who was visibly moved by the occasion.
"Gay, Marian and now Larry," he noted at the start of his homily. "It is undoubtedly the end of an era. Larry was always an extraordinary man who was very ordinary. His gift was the extraordinary things he could do. But he himself remained rooted on the ground. Very honest, obliging, happy, easy to work with, professional, thought of others, knew what was right and what was wrong. Not only knew it but actually did it. He loved fun, he was adored by everyone. We all knew without doubt he was the greatest disc-jockey we were ever likely to hear. He was a hero to everybody, he helped us all on our way, and he was so assured of his own greatness and ability that no one was a threat to Larry.
"I think Irish music owes an incredible amount to Larry Gogan. Larry played everybody. They didn't have to be a big star before he played them. Larry played them and made them a big star because they were good and he had the great ability to do that. Don't forget that in 1964 Larry was voted Ireland's favourite DJ. And if you'd have taken a poll the day before he died, he'd still have been most people's favourite. Talk about hanging around long enough to become a habit.
"There's only one person in the world I can think of that I never heard anyone say a bad word about; never in my life did anyone say a bad word about Larry Gogan to me, and that's over a period of well over fifty years. I think that's the great legacy of Larry Gogan."
Words very well said.

A broadcaster for over 60 years, Larry was widely regarded as the country's supreme pop DJ. The tributes that have poured in this week from the likes of The Stunning, Jerry Fish, The Duckworth Lewis Method, Aslan, Stockton's Wing, The Radiators From Space and close pal Larry Mullen Jr., who is present today, bear testimony to how he always went the extra yard for Irish musicians, with many getting their first radio plays on his show.

The President of Ireland was represented by Aide de Campe Colonel Liam Condon, while the Taoiseach was represented by Commandant Caroline Burke. Officially representing RTÉ were Director General, Dee Forbes; Chair of the Authority, Moya Doherty; and Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2fm. The mourners also included Larry’s children Gerard, Orla, David, Gráinne and Sinéad; Dickie Rock; Brendan Grace’s widow Eileen Doyle; Ryan Tubridy; Rick O'Shea; Ian Dempsey; Ronan Collins; Eoghan McDermott; Joe Duffy; Ray D'Arcy; Marty Whelan; Bryan Dobson; Paul Russell; Jim Lockhart; Paul Cleary; Dave Heffernan; Evelyn O'Rourke; Pat Creed; Eddie Rowley; Olan McGowan; Tom Dunne; Declan Meehan; Ian Wilson; Paul McLoone; Lorraine Keane; Brendan Balfe; Paddy Gilsenan; the former Head of 2fm, John McMahon; Mark Cagney; Oliver Barry; Peter Aiken; Alan Hennessy; Cormac Battle; Moira Ryan; Dave Pennefather; another former Head of 2fm, John Clarke; Lindsey Holmes; Rory Golden; Dan Hegarty and the former RTÉ Director General, Bob Collins.

Singing beautifully throughout the ceremony was Larry's niece, Rachel, who in addition to liturgical songs performed U2's 'One' and the Brendan Graham's 'You Raise Me Up'.

A wreath from from Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry read: “There is no end to grief, that is how we know there is no end to love.”

As a further mark of respect, most of the country's radio stations simultaneously played The Golden Horde and Maria McKee's 'Friends In Time' at midday today.

What a lovely photo of Larry Gogan and his family in his funeral programme today. Full of love and laughter. May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled by the love that Ireland has for Larry. #larrygogan pic.twitter.com/hCGhlQ0gUK

— Darragh Doyle (@darraghdoyle) January 10, 2020

Today we say goodbye to our friend and legend #LarryGogan sadly I’m away and won’t be there to pay my respects but he Gerry and Tony will be forever in my thoughts. I was part of the greatest @rte2fm line up makes me sad and proud at the same time. Rest in peace Larry https://t.co/jnyq8RHBgf

— john kenny (@JohnKennyMedia) January 10, 2020

A message from U2 on a wreath for Larry Gogan reads: “There is no end to grief, that is how we know there is no end to love.” pic.twitter.com/uXvba9WBLC

— Áine McMahon (@AineMcMahon) January 10, 2020