TV Career

Then there’s all the Television with 2 Jacob’s Awards – two Eurovisions, plus work on a third and in the orchestra pit on a fourth. The tape of Ian’s talkback from the 1981 Eurovision was used as a training tool for directors at the BBC.

In several years Ian’s solo output was higher than any other producer or department except for News!

Ian produced and directed several  James Last shows and subsequently produced the recorded albums which earned Gold, and platinum discs (now where did I put those)?

There were National Song Contests, big Christmas musical extravaganzas with everyone from Tony Kenny in Lapland to Boyzone in studio, Eye on The Music series with Bill Whelan, Rose of Tralee (Ian was awarded the prestigious Golden Rose cuff links); My Ireland, Castlebar Song Contests, People of the Year,  Videofile with all the pop stars of the 80s presented by Marty Whelan; think Wham -George Michael, Phil Collins (I need to say more about Phil), Paul Young. We went to visit Gilbert O’Sullivan at his home in Wiltshire to ‘research’ his participation.

I have many memories myself of the ‘Me and My Music’ series from the National Stadium with Ralph McTell, Chris Rea, Christy Moore; and of Specials with the incredible tenor Frank Patterson – close friend, godfather to Kirsty,  and sadly no longer with us- Sandy Kelly, Daniel O’Donnell, both with the most amazing guests including Johnny Cash, many were recorded in the US and transmitted coast to coast on PBS, for whom he also recorded a live amphitheatre performance in Pompéi of Italian tenors Il Volo. Kathleen Watkins series Faces and Places about the Irish at home and abroad, Tops of The Towns were covered annually from the quarter finals around the country to the glittering Dublin Grand Finale.. such wonderful times as Ian who produced and directed, always took the family. Foster & Allen specials thanks to Donie Cassidy & latterly Kieran Cavanagh.

Siamse Cois Lee, thanks to Oliver Barry, who has been a huge support and close friend to Ian – and is godfather to Kirsty- drew international artists such as John Denver (who became a personal friend) & Leo Sayer. There was also the award of the freedom of Cork City, very fitting since Oliver is a Corkonian and it turns out I have DNA from there too!

Let’s not forget another unique project in late 1998 when Ian directed and produced, for worldwide web diffusion, the coverage of new Opera at Wexford of Il Bravo.

Co-deviser of Winning Streak and Telly Bingo (our company Hype Productions still produces TB with our dedicated crew).

Ian directed many seasons of Fair City, the Proms, Crime Call etc etc I’m sure I’ve missed loads and it’s up to you to remind us!

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