Ronan O'RAHILLY

All that I have learnt about you Ronan comes from reports of your charisma, your standing up to the establishment, your principles, your determination to continue what you started in respect of Radio Caroline. For a man that brought happiness to millions of people, normally the funeral would be packed. Not so the case for yours, ironically. However modern technology provided a solution, & like you said "Caroline can be anywhere", the service went everywhere that Caroline now can. Respect to your achievements, your ongoing legend, your perseverance & thanks. Rock in perpetuity! They can't stop you now.

I was so sad to hear the news of Ronan passing away. It marks a special milestone in my own life., having been fortunate enought to have been part of the Caroline family 1972-1974. I saw him quite often during that tumultuous yet magic time. He gave the go ahead to Michael Hagler and myself to have the Caroline free festival at Stonehenge, which was otherwise in doubt, it was held over the weekend of 21st June 1974, which he attended the whole time. He had a particular impact in my life through my time on Caroline. But of course, many more famous DJs from Caroline's first incarnation, and of course many musicians too. Most of all, he touched the lives of millions of listeners, simply by daring to be different.
My sadness is tempered by knowing Ronan had an Amaaazing (his favourite word) Life.
Thank you Ronan.

Ronan, I loved my time listening to Caroline from 1964 through to forever. I also loved our coffee and chat in the Chelsea Arts Club, the Bluebird, Picasso, Hay's Mews, Paultons Square, Scheveningen, Amsterdam, and just in the street, ambling along the Kings Road talking about Nicky (Simon Dee), Jocelyn Stevens, Allan Crawford, Bill Scadden, the Roughs Tower, and famous tricks and times. I even enjoyed the Caroline TV fantasy: I was the only one who earned from it (as a struggling journo). We all loved you and love you. You had a tough last few years. You deserve a good rest. Thanks for everything and for your dreams. They live on. Condolences to Roisin and the family and, of course, Ines who I never met but have heard so much about. RIP Ronan.

All I can say is a big thank you for allowing us to hear good music

After reading a few articles about Ronan and a few condolences notes I realized what an amazing character Ronan was.
Unfortunately, I only met Ronan in the last few months of his life. When his health and cognitive skills were very low.
Sincere condolences to Ronan's family, friends and especially to Ines Trindade his partner who looked after him in a very special and respectful way until his last breath.
Rose Matthews

So sorry for your loss RIP Ronan a pleasure to have known while you were a patient in Louth County Hospital Dundalk a true gentleman. Condolences to Inness to all of Ronans extended family&friendsFly high above Ronan with all your Angels in Heaven.

It was a pleasure to work with Ronan, albeit briefly; entertaining coffees and conversations in Chelsea, plus meetings and interviews in Covent Garden at the start of my broadcasting career.

Listening to Radio Caroline as a child helped set me on my career path, which I am still enjoying today. Without Ronan's influence on the development of radio broadcasting, I (and many others) might not have had some of the opportunities I have been lucky enough to experience.

My sincere condolences to Ronan's family and friends.

Thank you Ronan for giving us the amazing Radio Caroline, having been a listener for 56 years it is still the only music station that I listen to. We, the Caroline family will take good care of her in your absence
Rest in peace Ronan. L A

Ronan
Your radio ship Caroline was my rock I used to listen every day in the 60's. God bless and RIP in heaven.

Brian Fisher
South London

Ronan was the man who changed my life forever, after being told by the Labour government that I couldn't listen to pop music...... it made me take a greater interest in Politics. Ahh the heady days of Johnnie Walker,Robbie Dale et al will always be remembered. Thank you Ronan.

My sincere condolences to Ronan's family and friends. Thank you so much for brightening my teenage years, and 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's....... To quote a couple of lines from the 1959 hit "Three stars" : Gee we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love. Ronan, your memory and legacy will definitely not fade away.

Ronan inspired me to believe that the impossible could be achieved, to think ‘out of he box’, and to be idealistic. Caroline personifies the human spirit at its best. Thank you—and Thank you to your carers too.

It is more than sad to know that Ronan O’Rahilly is gone – and my condolences to those who loved him. Ronan’s combination of brilliance and folly wrote him into the history of our times. He will be remembered as having been an irritation to the British Establishment, which can only be a good thing He deplored government mendacity and – when he saw it – sought to expose it. He was justly proud of his illustrious background. He emanated kindness and could laugh at himself. A good man, and an original.

I will always cherish my 57 year friendship with Ronan. He was a totally unique individual and his innate kindness helped many in and outside of the music business.
Sending condolences to Catherine, Roisin and the O'Rahilly family.
Also my thanks, love and gratitude go to Ronan's companion and carer, Ines, whose dedication and love of Ronan knew no bounds.

It's been so long since I last saw you but I have always thought of you as my friend. I shall miss knowing that you are with us but will remember your innovative influence for the rest my life. Give this lovely man a Blue plaque. Thank you for opening my mind and leaving me better for it. RIP Ronan you did more than your share.

To Nuala and the other members of your family, I offer my sincere sympathy and prayers, God Bless, Frances

Deepest condolences to Roisin and her family. Having arrived to London in early '90, as a Bosnian war refugee with his family, I was privileged to meet this extraordinary gentleman who, together with his amazing sister Roisin, profoundly touched our lives. Ronan guidance, love and wisdom was a God send in those early, difficult years. Roisin, God bless you and your family and huge THANK YOU, to you and your amazing brother Ronan.
RIP Ronan, may your soul find a perfect peace.

to the famely o rahilly my condolence thanks Ronan for all the joy i have listen to Radio Caroline.
RIP.

I have so many memories of the fun and sometimes mad things we got up to growing up in Mooreen.
You left for London and set up Radio Caroline but we always kept in touch throughout our lives.
My deepest sympathy to your sisters Nuala Roisin and iseult. Special condolences to Ines who cared for Ronan so lovingly always at his side.
R.I.P Ronan

“We fear death, we shudder at life's instability, we grieve to see the flowers wilt again and again, and the leaves fall, and in our hearts we know that we, too, are transitory and will soon disappear. When artists create pictures and thinkers search for laws and formulate thoughts, it is in order to salvage something from the great dance of death, to make something last longer than we do.”
Hermann Hesse

Rest in peace, Ronan

Like his grandfather, The O'Rahilly, Ronan loved freedom. He will be sorely missed by all lovers of freedom.

Sincere condolences to the O'Rahilly family on the sad passing of Ronan. The O'Rahilly Family have played a significant role in the Maritime History of the unique village of Greenore. In 2014, we in Greenore Historical Group were privileged to facilitate/participate in a Newstalk Documentary of the Radio Caroline story, a story and dream in which Ronan played the leading role. R.I..P. Ronan.

Ronan you changed the face of radio in the 1960's and gave all us young'uns what we wanted.. continuous pop music..you'll never be forgotten..god bless..

A man who stood for what he believed and made sure the belief became a reality. Without him, radio would not be what it is today, end Caroline would not be the best of all radio stations. Thank you Ronan. RIP

Saddened to hear of Ronans passing. I recall distinctly hi charisma while in Colaiste Na Rinne ( Ring College) in 1950. I was intrigued with his Family history and 1916 stories. Following the setting up of Radio Caroline I would boast telling my friends that I knew this whiz kid. Slan.

Ronan thank you so much for your guidance and support of my music career. You were my first manager and motivated me to realise my talents and potential. You took me under your wing and helped me find my own voice, and gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward. Thank you for bringing me down to London, and introducing me to the Chelsea Arts Club, thank you for all the stories, the long phone calls and lunches! I am where I am today in part because of you. Rest in peace dear friend. God bless.

Robert

Condolences to all Ronans family at this sad time.
“The song has ended but the Memory’s linger on” thanks Ronan.

R.I.P. Ronan, My deepest sympathy to the O’Rahilly family for the loss of their beloved brother Ronan,and also his loyal and trusted friend Innes ,who stood by
him through thick and thin (well done Innes)
Best wishes to All

Thank you Ronan, for being such an inspiration. I will always remember meeting you at the Free Radio Association Rally in August 1970. Rest in Peace and Love. From Pam, of the Administration Team, Free Radio Association.

You helped change everybody's live with the radio revolution that is Radio Caroline, you were chief pilot of the airwaves, thanks for making the radio what it should be, R.I.P Ronan

Thanks for the music Ronan.

You are a true legend.
Sincere condolences to the family
and friends.

Best wishes

Ronan, you brought magic, mystery, anarchy and fun to our lives. You also gave me my first job - not on the high seas but deep in the English countryside, on the team of an American inventor who was creating a water alternative to petrol. I think it ended in an explosion but the memories are so sweet ! After that, meeting up every now and again, in Chelsea or in my hometown of Paris , I never stopped admiring your subversive flame, burning so bright. Heartfelt condoleances to your family, Julia.

Thank you for getting radio Caroline started in the 60’s and for getting the Ross Revenge started in 1983 and for its innovation. Thank you for playing great music which I will continue to listen to. I send my condolences to the family, you will be sadly missed from the many loyal listeners of radio Caroline.
Best wishes,

RIP Ronan. A real pioneer in radio and music. A true innovator with foresight and courage. We will all miss you. Thanks for Radio Caroline and changing all our lives at the time. x

RIP Ronan - only met you once, eight years ago in the Fulham Road, near the Beaufort House restaurant. We had a fascinating and tangential conversation about a possible re-release of the Loving Awareness LP, interrupted at crucial moments by ' Look, here comes the No 19 bus!' Micky Gallagher knows what I mean... Sad it never came to pass, but who knows...
Huge love and thanks for Ines for all the care and support she gave to Ronan over recent years.

Your legend continues

Rest in peace and that's goes from the bottom of my heart
Because with out any doubt you changed the world of broadcasting for ever

This book of condolence says it all. I have read every message and it paints a picture of a man who was touched by so many. My own Mother suffered the same illness at the end of her life and so I really must use this opportunity to pass my condolences to Ines and all those who cared for Ronan towards the end. It is so hard to see someone fade in this way and I am sure everyone owes you a great debt to have looked after this inspirational man during his final years.

There are so many familiar names here. Ronan's 'family' was spread far and wide. His spirit made it through Easter, an important time for him, in more ways than one. I am pleased that I joined the funeral service on-line, because, in a small way, I could pay tribute to a man that created something that was an inspiration to me. To get to know Ronan during my time with the Caroline Movement was a fascinating experience. His spirit is as free now, as was his radio adventure. Thank you Ronan - Rest in love, peace and good music! As is shown by the words written in this book of condolence, the memories will live on forever.

My thoughts are with Ronan's Family. For me, Ronan changed radio and brought music to all. I was 12 when I first heard Radio Caroline in 1964 and it had a profound effect on my life. I am greatly appreciative of Ronan's dream which changed the lives of so many people. I never met you, but I wanted to simply say thank you to you Ronan for your massive contribution you made over the years to our lives and for the legacy you leave. Journey well, wherever it may take you. With love and deep respect.

I can’t claim to have been a listener back in the 60s as I was too young, but became a regular in the 70s and 80s. Growing up in Harwich, it was the obvious station for me and I thank you for all you did over the years to keep the station on air and get it back on air after encountering troubled periods.

The station had a massive influence on determining my musical tastes and without Caroline, I’d probably have succumbed to Radio 1, as many of my peers did. Having read a lot about the station, I don’t know how you managed to keep it going, but my heartfelt thanks that you did.

God bless and rest in peace.

Thank you for the music !!!

I may not have met you, Ronan, but I am deeply saddened by your passing.

You have made Radio Caroline into a truly international radio station that has influenced, and for some changed, the lives of everyone who has ever come in contact with it.

Caroline will continue, and everyone involved with it n any way, shape and form, will see to that.

Rest in peace, Ronan, and thank you.

Thank you so much Ronan for starting a broadcasting revolution in 1964 when you created Radio Caroline, the finest radio station on the planet, and the absolute musical soundtrack of my life.
You were a truly amazing visionary, and an inspirational leader for my generation.
May you rest in peace in the knowledge that Radio Caroline, your dream, will live on forever.
You will always be remembered. Thank you for everything.
God bless you Ronan. Sleep tight. L.A.

My condolences to Inês and to all of Ronan’s family and friends at this very sad time.

RIP Ronan, thanks for the pioneering work you did for freeing the radio waves & allowing us to listen to what we wanted.

God bless you Ronan and May you Rest In Peace .Sincere condolences to Ines who cared for you so unselfishly and lovingly you’re in my prayers

A legend & inspiration to us all.
Ronan transformed all our lives with the determination to start Radio Caroline, which I continue to listen to every day. Great tributes given & well deserved by so many people involved in his projects
RIP

Toutes mes sincères condoléances.

It is hard to put this in words but Ronan has been, and is, a lifelong hero of mine. I am a retired hospital manager and anglican parish priest but at 12 years of age the Caroline project helped me to define who I was...and am. Radio is a fantastic medium and I am pleased to now be in community radio but Ronan represented more than only the freedom of the airwaves not controlled by the establishment. I feel privileged to have met Ronan once, briefly. The Ross Revenge was in London just a mooring line away. Thank you for so much beautiful person.

Ronan. Thanks for the great music over many years.
Rest in Peace.

Thank you for everything Ronan! Hope you will have a great time up there, with lots of love, peace and good music...

Such an influence on my life Re: music, radio and politics. RIP Ronan knowing that you had such a positive influence on so many people.

Thank you Ronan for the music and wonderful memories of the 60's. Long Live Caroline. Rest in Peace Ronan.

Thank you for your rebel nature, determination, inspiration, vision and smiling with favour upon me. May your legacy and legend live on Ronan. Keep smiling down on us all from up there. Enda :-)

Ronan...!! You’re a true hero of Free Radio. An idealist who realised a great radio station against all odds. Many times due to all kinds of problems Radio Caroline disappeared from the air, but it always came back, mostly with Easter. This time you left us, shortly after Easter. But we’re all so happy that your legacy, Radio Caroline is still here to stay! On air, online and on our phones. Massive thanks for all you did for music and for all the pleasure we have from Radio Caroline!!

RIP Ronan, i never met you but felt i knew you. As a young lad i was brought up with Radio Caroline. She was your dream and that dream lives on . Thank you from everyone in the Caroline family and indeed the other offshore stations because your dream became their dream.

You opened music to many people in the 60's and forged a path that will never be closed. Thank you for your genius.

An amazing guy with an amazing vision that he saw through and lives on today. Rest in Peace, Sir.

Ronan I have my life to thank you for, you took me out of a small village through my Support of Radio Caroline and FRA. And going to help with the fight for Free Radio. It opened up my life when I moved to Southend where I met my presant Husband Rest in Peace Buddy. You will be missed xx

Thank You for the Music and 56 years Radio Caroline

R.I.P.

Your spirit of freedom inspired me and many others . Rock on ronan