Voice of Waterford in the early years of Raidió na Gaeltachta

Dóirín Mhic Mhurchú, who has died aged 84, was a regular voice on Raidió na Gaeltachta through the 70s and 80s.

She reported on matches around Waterford and in the wider Munster area, often travelling on her Honda 50 to attend fixtures. She also covered court cases and was a teacher, writer, linguist and musician.

Her book, Bealach na Bó Finne, was a work of research into the pilgrimage of the Irish to Santiago de Compostella from the Middle Ages to modern times. She also wrote stories and Irish lessons for Ireland's Own, the Cork Holly Bough and Treoir.

She taught languages and typing in Meánscoil San Nioclás in the Ring Gaeltacht in west Waterford over many years.

Following a move home from Australia in 1964 when her husband, Éamonn Mac Murchú, came to manage Gael Linn's local shop, they settled in the Gaeltacht.

When the Gaeltacht Civil Rights Organisation was formed in Connemara at the end of the 1960s, she attended meetings there and formed a branch in the Ring Gaeltacht.

Tin whistle

She also formed a branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and went on to win All-Ireland titles for tin whistle and ballads. She was an active member of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association.

Dóirín Mhic Mhurchú was born in Liverpool in 1930, the daughter of Dr Denis Harding. When she was a girl, her family moved to Bailieborough in Co Cavan. After her marriage she lived for a while in London before emigrating to live in a remote rural outpost in Queensland in Australia where the family spent three years before returning to Ireland in 1964.

She is survived by her five children, Clíona, Áine, Irial, Odhrán and Fianait, and by her sister Monica (Keeton).