Tributes and well-wishes paid to Fiachna Ó Braonáin as he presents his last Late Date

Figures of the entertainment world and have paid tribute to Fiachna Ó Braonáin as he presented his last Late Date this Saturday.

The presenter announced to The Brendan O’Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 that Saturday night's show would be his last "for a little while."

"It's been a beautiful community we've kind of built up over the years,” he said. “And Late Date has always been a community, even going back to before I ever presented it, going back to listening to Val Joyce or even beforehand. It accompanied many a long trip home from gigs and so on, and I've been presenting it for the guts of 14 years."

Since then, major figures have taken to social media to pay their tributes to Ó Braonáin, with Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell writing: “So deeply grateful for all the spins & support and for your exquisite music curatorship — I will miss your show very much but I hope to get to hear you play live soon.”

Irish singer Mary Coughlan also thanked the presenter: “Fiachna ! We are gonna miss you so much…Thank you for all the support through the years !”

Belfast band Dark Topics also took to X to write: “Fiachna, Thank you so much for all your support. You've played every single we've put out and it was always a massive thrill for us. We'll really miss listening to your show, especially on the late night drives home after a gig. You're a gentleman and a wonderful broadcaster.”

Host of Late Date and a founding member of The Hothouse Flowers, Ó Braonáin shared that he has plans to release a new podcast about music with his touring partner and fellow broadcaster Tom Dunne in the autumn.

See more tributes to Fiachna Ó Braonáin below:

I’m so sorry to hear Fiachna is stepping away from DJ duties on RTE Radio 1. He’s an amazing support to Irish independent Artists. Thanks for playing my songs these past few years Also he’s a gentleman ♥️ https://t.co/eky5AVcDFZ

— ⭐️ Ultan Conlon (@ultanconlon) July 28, 2024

Dear Fiachna. What will we do without you? Thank you for being such a champion of Irish music on the radio all these years! You will be sorely missed. May the road rise with you! X https://t.co/heuGnTHfb4

— Joe Chester (@joechester_) July 28, 2024

Thank you to @fobraonain.

So, so much music shared. Homegrown, far-flung, brand new, classic and the overlooked.

Fiachna’s Late Date always shone a light on songs and artists in a way that deftly wove them into our lives.
The very best wishes on your next adventure.

— Paul Connolly (@pb_connolly) July 27, 2024

A milestone

Hard to believe

A gem of a show
A gem of a presenter

To brighter futures ❤️ https://t.co/yOkukRpLsI

— Tom Happens (@tomhappens) July 27, 2024