RTÉ Drama
RTÉ Statement on the death of Brendan Caldwell
It was with great sadness that RTÉ learned today, Thursday 12 January, of the death of Brendan Cauldwell at the age of 83 years, who had been a member of the RTÉ Repertory since 1955 and who was latterly best known as Paschal in RTÉ’s Fair City, in which he appeared for 10 years.
During Brendan’s 50-year association with RTÉ, he contributed to the broadcast of over 3,000 productions on radio, including the international 32-hour broadcast of Ulysses, still unrivalled in the Guinness Book of Records, as the longest ever radio drama. His performance as Hennessey in the RTÉ Television production of Strumpet City is particularly memorable, alongside his earlier performance as Rashers in the 1974 RTÉ Radio 1 production of the same drama.
Brendan made his first appearance as Paschal Mulvey in Fair City, on 10 September, 1996, as the ex-soldier who had seen action in the Congo in the early 60s who took up work as the senior barman in McCoy’s pub. His last performance in Fair City was broadcast on May 8th 2004, when his character left Carrigstown for a new life in New Zealand with his new bride – old flame and childhood sweetheart Lily (Phyllis Ryan).
Tributes were heard throughout RTÉ – from Niall Matthews, Series Producer of Fair City; from Mary Callery, Commissioning Editor, Drama in RTÉ Television and from his many colleagues and friends across the organisation. He was described as ‘A remarkable individual; immensely funny and delightful company’. ‘The world’, it was said, ‘would be a darker place without him in it’.
Lorelei Harris, Editor of Arts, Features and Drama, RTÉ Radio 1, said: “When people like Brendan Cauldwell die, it is a passing of a very particular era in radio history in Ireland. The importance of the Repertory in his lifetime cannot be overstated. It was people like Brendan who through his fine contribution and loyalty to RTÉ brought radio drama to Ireland and brought it alive to many people at home. His presence will be missed by his many friends in the radio community.”
His many colleagues and friends in RTÉ extend their sympathy to his widow, Maureen, his son Luke and his daughters Shanna and Ciara, as well as to his relatives, colleagues and many friends throughout the Arts community in Ireland.
Issued: 12 January, 2006
Further Information:
Cathriona Edwards, Communications Manager, RTÉ Television, 087 647 1120