IRMA honours Larry Gogan.

Friday 11th March saw this year's IRMA Honour awarded to one of Ireland's most popular and best loved Radio DJ - Larry Gogan, for his major contribution to Irish Music over the last forty years.

The black tie affair, sponsored by MasterCard, was attended by over 600 guests, from the world of music and entertainment including the inimitable Terry Wogan, Paul Brady, The Thrills, Gay Byrne, Davy Spillane, John Spillane, Peter Devlin, Carol Anthony, Simon Casey, Victoria Smurfitt, Eamonn Farrell (Brother of Irish Actor Colin Farrell), Graham Knuttel and Rasher.

There was a huge turn out from the many radio and TV people that have worked with Larry over the years including Ian Dempsey, Tony Fenton, Dave Fanning, Ronan Collins, Brendan Balfe, Wes Darcy, Mike Maloney, Jimmy Greely, Colin Hayes Tom Dunne, Aiden Leonard, Ray Darcy, Ryan Tubridy, and many more.

A specially produced video featuring some of the top names of music provided a moving tribute to the contribution Larry has made and continues to make to Irish music. Among the artists in the video were Bob Geldof, Larry Mullen Jr., The Corrs, Ronan Keating, Moya Brennan and Westlife.

"In the early eighties when there was no-one playing rock music in the afternoons you were the exception. You still are an exception."
Larry Mullen

"We had few champions in this country... There are benchmark people in every country's broadcasting. In Ireland there's Gay [Byrne] and there's Larry. These men had a profound effect."
Bob Geldof

The President of Ireland also sent a congratulatory message.

As part of the fund raising activity, six very special items went under the hammer with art from Rasher, Graham Knuttel, Barry Flanagan, Robert Ballagh, Jim Fitzpatrick and a piece of sculpture by Tanya Nyeegard , plus a very special once off piece of Jewellery created by Ali Hewson and Paul Sheeran Jewelers specially for the IRMA Honours. The diamond cross was valued at over €20,000, made of 18ct gold set with 26 diamonds totaling over 5.50 carats.

A total of over sixty thousand was raised by the IRMA Honours to benefit Our Lady's Hosptial For Sick Children, The Chernobyl Children's project, and the IRMA Trust.

The evening ended with memorable live performances from Paul Brady and The Thrills.

For further information please contact Lindsey Holmes, Deirdre Crookes or Nell Roddy at LHP on 01 497 0313 or email lhp@indigo.ie