Broadcaster and proud Cooley man Tom Savage

Cooley native Tom Savage, who died at the age of 76 after a short illness, made a lasting mark on the world of media, politics, the football pitch and on the hearts of those honoured to know him.

A former Catholic priest, he was a successful broadcaster and lecturer and government adviser.

He studied at Maynooth and Queen’s University Belfast. As a young priest he was sent to greet British troops on their first deployments in Belfast, when the nationalist community welcomed them as peacekeepers. This experience gave him an insight which he drew upon when working as an advisor to Taoiseach Albert Reynolds.

Cardinal William Conway appointed him to the Independent Broadcasting Authority in 1972 and he was seconded to the Catholic Communications Institute. He made the difficult decision to leave the priesthood after falling in love with Terry Prone.

He presented various TV programmes, including RTÉ’s Outlook and for 15 years he was a familiar voice on RTÉ’s It Says in the Papers, and was the founder-producer of Morning Ireland. He served as chairman of th e RTÉ Authority from 2009 to 2016. He left Carr Communications in 2008, and along with his wife and their son, former Today FM broadcaster Anton Savage, set up a new company, The Communications Clinic.

A lifelong member of Cooley Kickham GAA club, he played senior football for Louth and won an All-Ireland junior medal in 1961. He also was a member of the first QUB GAA team to win the Sigerson cup.

He was laid to rest in Cooley after Mass in St James’ Church Grange on Sunday. He is survived by his wife Terry, son Anton, daughter-in-law Cathy, granddaughter Anna, brothers Peter, Seamus and John, sisters Teresa and Margaret.