John Quinn

So sorry to hear the sad news of John’s death. He was indeed a very special person and I was privileged to have spent many hours in the company of himself and his beloved wife,Olive. He was also much admired by Sir Peter Ustinov to whom I introduced him. Sincere condolences to all the Quinn family. RIP.

Deepest sympathy to the Quinn family on the death of John. I met John on a few occasions during my working life as a staff member of the Institute of Public Administration. He was such a lovely person, so much knowledge and had a great personality, a born broadcaster. May he rest in peace.

I have loved listening to John and reading anything he wrote for as long as I can remember. In 2005 shortly after my own fathers death my brother was amazed and delighted to find dad mentioned in John's Letters to Olive. They had been in Blanchardstown hospital at the same time in 1965.He referred to my dad as "John Coates,a big burly Dub" and recalled some prime examples of the gallows humour which helped to relieve the tedium and anxiety of sanitarium existence. This meant the world to our family .Dad recovered, never looked back and made it to eighty one. John is finally reunited with his beloved Olive. In iothlainn De go dtugtar iad uiig. And now I'm going to listen to Ballivor in a trip down Memory Lane.

My sympathy to the Quinn family on the death of John. I remember John’s remarkable storytelling and connection with the children in Abbeylara NS. They were enthralled. Later in Baronscourt I was privileged to spend evenings with John as he shared his wisdom, wit and his personal story with us teachers in his own eloquent, gentle manner. A wonderful memory. Reunited with his beloved Olive.
Laoch ar lár

Condolences to John's Family, colleagues and friends. Some years ago when RTE repeated radio programmes during the night and I heard a lovely one where a school down the country had planted a garden and John went down and spoke with the children. It was fantastic. I wrote a card to him in RTE congratulating him, only to discover that he was living in the Parish of Holy Redeemer at the time.. May he rest in peace with his beloved Olive.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies on John's passing. It was my delight and privilege to work with him over many years, as part of the Poetry Ireland Writers in Schools Scheme, and to watch him lite up every classroom he entered. Thank you John, I feel so lucky to have been part of that.

Deep sympathies to John's family and friends on your sad loss. He will be sorely missed by many. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Sincere sympathy to Lisa, Deirdre, Declan, Kelly. to Eva, Georgia, Riley, Callan and Senan .his sister Mary, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and all his RTE colleagues and friends on the sad passing of your dear John may his kind and gentle soul rest in peace amen.
John a talented kind gentleman who would add a ray of sunshine to any day with his beautiful poems, he is missed from his seat in the church.

Sincere condolences to Dee and the Quinn family on the sad passing of John may he rest in peace.

Declan I was so sorry to hear your Dad passed away condolences to you Kelly callan and Senan, and all the Quinn family. What a talented man may his gentle spul rest in peace Thinking of you all at this sad time.

My deepest sympathy to you Declan, Lisa and Deirdre on your father's death. I had the pleasure of meeting John many many years ago when he came to our little school as part of the Writers in Residence scheme. We had John's company for a day. I was teaching lnfants and John came to our classroom first thing. John held those 4 and 5 yr olds in the palm of his hand for about an hour, no bother to John! We then chatted over a cuppa at break time and again at lunch about his books and his radio programmes.John left an indelible mark on me that day. Imagine my delight about a week later when l received John's latest book in the post with a lovely personalised note. You were one of life's true gentlemen John and a gentle man who will be sorely missed.
I caught up with John again in Ballivor recently and watched the film made from his book Goodnight Ballivor l'll sleep in Trim. So glad to have met him once again in the company of Judy Davoren. Sleep softly now in the arms of your beloved Olive.

Sincere condolences to the Quinn family on the sad passing of John. He was a regular visitor to Longford where his creativity shone through in his engagement with teachers and pupils while promoting the work of the Pushkin Trust. He was a superb communicator and children always listened spellbound to his stories. John will be sorely missed by all of us who were privileged to know him. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal.

My sympathy to the family and friends on the death of John. John was an imaginative, adventurous and courageous programme maker, and always appreciative.

Sincere condolences to the Quinn family, extended family and friends. John visited our school in 2007, speaking to the children with great kindness, compassion and flair, as only he could. We were sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace.

Dear Lisa, Deirdre & Declan, I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was such a lovely man. It’s a long time since we were neighbours on New Road, but I remember them well. My sincerest sympathy to you and all of your families.

Sincere sympathy to Declan,Lisa and Deirdre and John’s lucky grandchildren.Also to John’s sister,Mary.
John was a highly respected,gentle and encouraging teacher in my secondary school-Banada Abbey,Co Sligo. He and his beloved wife,Olive ferried us to interschool debates.
Years later,I was privileged to introduce him to my own children and their classmates in Rathgar National School.
Remembered always with fondness.
Rest peacefully now.

So sorry to hear this sad news of John's passing, one of life's true Gentlemen. He really knew how to bring a story to life and was always interested in hearing your's. We swapped and compared stories of Ballyfin on many occasions and I still enjoy his part in the documentary.
Rest in peace, John, you'll be sadly missed but well remembered.


Ballyfin

Deepest sympathy to the Quinn and extended families at this sad time.
John was a dear friend to our mother Josephine McGearty. She had fond memories from their days growing up toghether in Ballivor.

Good night Ballivor, I'll sleep in Heaven. RIP John.

In Dubai and just heard the sad news. So sorry to hear John has left us. My deepest sympathy to all the family. John was a learned colleague who continued to encourage long after he retired. Another fine intellect and brilliant broadcaster has left the studio. Goodnight Ballivor I'll sleep in Trim.

So sorry to hear of Johns passing a true gentleman & much loved native of Ballivor where he left many treasured memories in person & by his stories & in his writings not least in his book Good Night Ballivor I’ll Sleep in Trim & indeed in R T E & otherwise . The entire Quinn family were held in high esteem in Ballivor my native Village where they will be ever remembered.Rest in Peace John - in prayer Christy .

My sincere condolences to the Quinn family. I was very saddened to hear of the passing of John. A wonderful gentleman I had the pleasure of knowing from my many years working at Ballyfin House Hotel. John would visit and we would chat and enjoy a cup of tea and listen to his stories of his time at Ballyfin. He very kindly gave me some of his books which I have loved reading through the years. Will be sadly missed and very fondly remembered.

So Sorry to hear of John's passing. I was privileged to have known John as a true and trusted friend who gave up his time and wisdom to try and make me a writer.
May his gentle soul rest in peace,
Philip Chambers

My sincere sympathy to John’s family at this tough time. Larger than life, John’s contribution and support for the arts, including the Autumn Gathering at Coole and Thoor, were immense. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Our sincere sympathies to the Quinn family & friends. May John RIP.

So sorry to read of the passing of John Quinn.

Several times over the years, I called on John for practical advice on community projects and John always obliged.

I would recommend for reading John’s books “Letters to Olive” dedicated to his lovely wife Olive and “The Curious Mind” a wonderful series of interviews with people from all aspects of life.

Deepest condolences to Declan and family on the passing of your dad, may he rest in peace.

I send my sincere sympathy to all the Quinn family . I met John on regular occasions at poetry readings and events.
Always a gentleman and a joy to meet.
Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh A Anam Dílis.

deepest sympathy to Johns family on his passing.He was a brilliant producer and a pleasure to work with and a absolute gentleman.May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Sincere condolence to the Quinn Family , John was a lovely and kind man . I was in the same year as John in Colaiste Phadraig . Beir Beannacht.

Our sincere sympathy to all of John's beloved family on his sad death. It was a shock to hear of it. We had the privilege of meeting John over many years in Kelly's Rosslare as he remembered his beloved Olive for her anniversary. A true gentleman and we enjoyed reading his books and listening to his voice on radio. Our last words with him were of our farewell before he departed from Kelly's in June always with the hope of meeting again next year. So a final farewell John may you rest in peace with you beloved Olive.

I was so shocked to hear of John's passing as it was Christmas morning mass he acknowledged another lovely gentleman Pat who was celebrating his 100th birthday.
I will treasure my occasional chats in his home and the signed copies of his books, his poems that kept all our spirits up especially during covid's uncertain times.
Rest in peace John and read a verse to your beloved Olive.

Condolences to John’s family and friends. Never met John but I have enjoyed his books and CDs . His CDs are so reflective and inspiring. He will be missed. May he rest in peace. Kathleen Faherty (Creavin)
Connemara

Goodnight Ballivor, you'll sleep in Trim tonight, John Quinn. Legendary broadcaster, what a loss.

My deepest condolences to all of Johns' beloved family. He was a very dear, special man, with great knowledge and kindness; and a wonderful childrens author, who I will always remember with great fondness. I will treasure my copy of The Summer of Lily and Esme even more now.
R.I.P. John.

Deepest condolences to johns family on his sad passing . Fond memories of John when he used to call into the garden centre . May you rest in eternal peace John . From all at Clarenbridge garden centre .

My sincere condolences to the Quinn family.

I have very fond memories of John enthralling audiences, both young and old, at readings in Louth and Meath libraries.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé

Sincere Sympathy to Declan, Lisa, Deirdre,Mary, Kelly & the Quinn families. May John Rest in Peace.
It was a lovely Funeral Mass for John in Clarenbridge yesterday afternoon. A lovely Eulogy from Declan who gave us a very special insight to John's life. I first listened to John on RTE Radio Years ago with his program "The Open Mind"
As I told you all, yesterday, I started reading "The Passing Years" on New Years Night & enjoyed it so much. I decided I would send an email to John to compliment him on another great book. Such a shock to hear the next day that sadly John has passed away.
The first book of John's I read was about Ballivor & I have read most of his since then. We meet on a number of occasions including the Sagittarius Birthday parties he organised in Oranmore, I being one.
He was such a lovely man, so talented, gifted, kind, caring, a professional broadcaster, author, teacher, a gentleman & a gentle man.
We will all miss John.

To Declan, Lisa, Deirdre, Mary Kelly & family, you are in our thoughts & prayers at this sad time.
May John Rest in Peace. He is now united with Olive.
God Bless you all.
Seamus Gallagher, Cregmore, Claregalway, Co Galway. Broadcaster on Kinvara Community Radio

My memory of John is of a warm and supportive colleague and good friend when we were education colleagues supporting Radio Scoile in the 1970’s at RTE, where John was eventually to become the distinguished radio producer/presenter we came to know on air.

It was an occupation to which John was ideally suited. He had an innate sympathy and feeling for people, an ability to listen and to tell a story, an eclectic curiosity - about his fellow human beings, about processes and places and history and literature - and to go with all of that, a warm sense of humor and an optimistic sense of adventure. Over the years, he and I kept in touch at Christmas time, and when John retired, his card was always accompanied by a CD of one of the programs of which he was particularly proud, by one of the books he seemed to be producing on an annual basis, or, when Joe Biden was elected - and I was living in the US – by an interview he had conducted with leaders in Northern Ireland on the subject of exclusion/inclusion of minorities. (I sent it on to Mr. Biden – though I never heard back)!

This year, I received John's card, though this time without an accompaniment. I shall miss his annual cheer and caring, and I offer my deepest sympathy to his children and his family.

Suaimhneas siorai dod anam, John, agus ar dheis De go raibh tu.

Deepest sympathy to all of John's friends and family - he was a dear colleague in radio and a beloved and trusted voice for listeners for so many years.

Dear Declan, Lisa, Deirdre, Mary, Kelley. Heartfelt sympathies on the passing of your beloved father, brother, grandfather. John’s rich knowledge rested easily on his big shoulders. Ever a gentleman, his gentle presence will be sadly missed. Margaret Roche, Dublin

Comhbhrón le clann John ar a imeacht uaibh. I always enjoyed his programmes on RTE radio, he had a lovely voice.I loved his programme on Ballyfin college as it reminded me of my time in boarding school in Galway. Suaimhneas siorai da anam uasal.

Sincere sympathy to John's family.

I have lovely memories of listening to John's lovely voice on RTE many years ago on the Curious Mind and other programmes.

His Letters to Olive expressed such deep love & affection.

I never thought that I would meet John, but had the privilege of being introduced to him through a friend & met him on several occasions. He was a larger than life gentleman.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Mary and the Quinn family on the death of your beloved John
Our prayers and sympathy are with you at this sad time. May Johm rest peacefully in his eternal homr

**R.i.P...John...

In shock and in sadness, we send our deepest sympathy to Declan, Lisa and Deirdre, Mary, his sister and all his grandchildren on the death of your beloved John.

May God rest and reward him for his care and kindness, his gentleness and generosity and for his wonderful contribution to education.

John was a very special person.
We are blessed to have known him.

May he now rest in peace, reunited with all his loved ones, after a life so well lived.

"And when I come to the end of my days-
Be it natural causes or nuclear haze-
My last words will surely be
(Even if I'm the sole survivor)
Oh, goodnight world, I'll sleep in Ballivor"

Sincere condolences to the Quinn family on the sad loss of your beloved John. I have fond memories of him coming to Kildalkey in 2001 to launch my Parish History. May he rest in peace.

So another of the gifted Coláiste Phádraig class of 1961 has gone to his reward. Suaimhneas siorai dó agus dóibh go léir and deepest sympathy to John’s family and friends. His own words on his teacher Master Conway (I Gcuimhne an Mháistir) seem fitting:
“Surely they are his pupils’ children’s children
That line the way.
And surely we should say
the Master lives.
Slán abhaile, a Mhaistir.”

Our sincere condolences to the Quinn family on the passing of John. John visited our staff and school on many occasions and was currently working on a project with our senior pupils, collecting stories about their grandparents. May he rest in peace.

My condolences to John's family on his passing. RIP. I knew John in Ballyfin and later. He was a gentle man and had a beautiful voice.

Deepest sympathy to John’s family, relations and friends on his sad passing. I have very fond memories of our time together in St.Patricks Training college from 1959 to 1961. I always enjoyed meeting him and reminiscing with over the years and of course listening to him on his many radio programs. May he rest in eternal peace.

So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad, grandad and friend. I will steal some time away today to dip into his beautiful book Moments. Rest easy Sir.

Sincere condolences to Dee, her brother Declan and their family on the passing of their Father, may he rest in peace...

I have great memories of John from listening to his interesting, creative and informative radio programmes on RTE, to enjoying fascinating conversations with him about education and the Arts and being interviewed by him many moons ago when I was Equality Officer for the INTO. He was an inspiring warm and gentle person who made a great contribution to Irish education and the Arts .
May he rest in peace.
Sincere condolences to his family 🙏

My sincerest sympathies to all John's family and friends. It was a great pleasure to broadcast a retrospective series of John's programmes on lyric fm in 2019 and to meet him to record his recollections and reflections on them for our listeners. I met him again at Coole Park few years later with a young American composer Cal Folger Day who had made an opera based on his Two Ladies of Galway, he was both flattered and somewhat bemused. He remains peerless among Irish radio feature makers, a North Star. We will remember him with some of his work from the archive on the Lyric Feature on the 1st of February at 6pm.

John was my primary school teacher and had a huge influence on my life, an inspirational presence...years later when my daughter fell in love with The Summer of Lily and Esme, the coincidence brought me to one of John's readings and a privileged reacquaintance. A beautiful soul, may he rest in peace.

Comhbhrón ó chroí le Lisa, Deirdre, Declan agus teaghlach Uí Chuinn ar fad ar bhás bhrónach John.
It was a privilege to have known such a delightful and special man.
Leaba I measc na Naomh go raibh ag a anam uasal.

Ar ais le Olive

Good night Ballivor, you'll sleep in Heaven.

Rest in Peace old friend. We spent happy days together in Ballyfin in the 50s and John was one of the past pupils who kept the memories alive.
John’s glorious career is well remembered as a teacher, broadcaster, editor and writer.
My condolences to his family at this sad time.

Tá an-bhrón orm a chloisint go bhfuil John imithe ar Shlí na Fírinne. Laoch a b'ea é thar na blianta agus choiméad sé ar an eolas mé faoi na h-imeachtaí ar fad. Is aoibhinn liom an leabhar "Walking on The Pastures of Wonder" leis féin agus le John O Donoghue, nach maireann. Tá an leabhar in aice liom anois. Déanaim comhbhrón lena chlann ar fad. Solas na bhFlaitheas dó féin agus Olive.