Éamon De Buitléar

Éamon de Buitléar enjoys a light moment with Karin Dubsky at the launch of World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2nd 2012 in Wicklow

It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the passing of Éamon De Buitléar yesterday at the age of 83. Éamon lived in Delgany, with his wife Lailí and was a great friend and defender of Wicklow’s heritage through his work with his local community.

He was of course a National figure, best known as the person who first brought wildlife into sitting rooms throughout Ireland with RTE’s Amuigh Faoin Spéir, co-produced with with Gerrit Van Geldren in the 1960’s

He had a long and distinguished career as a naturalist, a film maker, and author and inspired so many of us with his enthusiasm and knowledge of “biodiversity” at a time before anybody even used that word.

With a passion for traditional Irish music and the Irish language, it was not uncommon for Éamon to give a speech ‘as gaeilge’ or to produce his mouth organ and finish up a public engagement with a lively tune. I remember that this is exactly what he did almost exactly a year ago when he helped us launch World Wetlands Day in County buildings last year.

May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire us all for many more years to come.