RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (RnaG) broadcaster Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí has died at the age of 53.

A statement from RTÉ RnaG said Mr Mac Aodha Bhuí died at his home in Cois Cláidigh in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal, today.

He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019.

Mr Mac Aodha Bhuí was known for radio programmes such as Rónán Beo, Barrscéalta, and Géill Slí.

He won Radio Personality of the Year at the Oireachtas Festival in 2009, 2010 and 2016, and both Glór na nGael and Conradh na Gaeilge presented him with special awards in the last year for his work for the Irish language.

“Rónán started working with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in the early nineties, and his names is synonymous with the station ever since,” RnaG said.

“He is one of the best-known Irish-language broadcasters in the country, and over the years has been instrumental in introducing people from all walks of life to the language and culture.

“He worked on many [RTÉ] programmes over the years from when he started in the mid-nineties, from magazine programmes to music shows, and also news, something which he had a great interest and ability in.”

Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí in studio. Image via RTÉ

RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said Mr Mac Aodha Bhuí was a “passionate torch bearer for Irish-language broadcasting”.

“His death is a great loss to his family and friends, his colleagues across the organisation, and Irish-language broadcasting in general.”

RnaG Ceannaire Gearóid Mac Donncha said it is “difficult to put into words the influence that Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí had on his community”.

“We owe him a debt of gratitude for his work for this station, and for the Irish language,” he said.