Adrian Flannelly, for decades the voice of Ireland in America by way of his popular radio show, has died.
The County Mayo native and Long Beach, Long Island resident was in declining health in recent times.
Born in 1942, Flannelly landed in New York in 1959 at the age of 17.
When he retired from broadcasting last year, the Echo reported that the term "everybody and anybody" applied, and then some, to the Adrian Flannelly radio show.
Adrian's final broadcast was in early July, 2023.
"It was great but now it's time to sign off," said Flannelly at time of show whose roster of interviews over the past 54 years had been a veritable who's who of political, social, sporting and cultural life, Irish, Irish American and American.
Flannelly was not only a broadcaster, the "dean" of the New York Irish American press corps, but also a community champion and activist.
He was also a former Irish Echo Irish American of the Year and winner of the Irish presidency's award for distinguished service on behalf of the diaspora.
Over the years, the Mayo native was attentive to politics and politicians on both sides of the aisle. He had close ties to both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S., and political figures of all stripes in Ireland.
Flannelly was a key driving force behind Irish community efforts to secure Morrison and Donnelly visas for the undocumented Irish in the late 1980s and early '90s. He was a pivotal figure in the securing of ground and the construction of the Irish Hunger Memorial in Lower Manhattan's Battery Park City. That memorial includes stone and vegetation from Flannelly's home village of Attymass in County Mayo.
Flannelly's work on behalf of the Irish community in America won him an Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2021.
Back in 2016, in his capacity as chairman and CEO of Irish Radio Network USA, he received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Quinnipiac University at its School of Communications commencement ceremony.
A Quinnipiac release at the time stated well summed up Adrian's contribution to his community over the years: “His radio broadcast, the Adrian Flannelly Show, grew to become Irish Radio Network, the leading broadcasting voice of Ireland in America.
“Flannelly reaches as many as two million listeners with his mix of news, music, culture and heritage, helping them to reconnect with their homeland from whatever place they call home.
“Since the show became part of the Irish-American landscape, the profile of its community has grown stronger and more successful.
“Applying his leverage with mayors, governors and presidents, Flannelly has lobbied on behalf of his community; he helped to legalize thousands of undocumented Irish and advanced the discussions that brought peace to Northern Ireland. Key players came on air to discuss the peace process and rally Irish America for the cause.
“After helping to create the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him Irish Cultural Liaison to City Hall.
“An exemplary Irish-American, Flannelly credits his wife and longtime business partner, Aine Sheridan, as his inspiration along with his four children and three grandchildren.”
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg was among the first to pay tribute.
“Adrian Flannelly was at the center of Irish American life for decades, and I was lucky to have his counsel, support, and friendship," Bloomberg said.
"From the peace process to the Hunger Memorial to immigration reform and so many other good causes, he used his voice - both on the air and in the halls of power - to benefit others. He will be greatly missed and long remembered on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Larry Kirwan of Black 47 and Echo columnist said of Flannelly: "Adrian was a lovely guy and always fun to be around and a great interviewer who let no one off easy. He was a true radio man, always thinking about his listener and making sure the listener was in the thick of things."
Dan Dennehy, speaking on behalf of the Council For American Ireland Relations (CFAIR), said he would always remember collecting visa applications with his wife Siobhan during the Irish Immigration Reform Movement days that would be driven by Adrian Flannelly to Washington, D.C. for processing.
"His later work as a board member of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center created a lasting legacy for Adrian and his generation of Irish Americans, ensuring that Ireland's history and people have a place in the future United States. In my mind the twinkle in our dear friend's eye would be matched only by his captivating piano at an O'Dwyer family gathering or to thousands in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
"Adrian's ingenuity and generosity of spirit in his radio life chronicled the decades as every mover and shaker sat across to be interviewed by him. He introduced many new movements and efforts. His assistance to so many immigrants and his championing of deportee Malachy McAllister will never be forgotten."
