BRID MALONEY: Film-maker and broadcaster Bríd Maloney, who has died suddenly in Belfast, achieved much during her 30 years of life.
She was recognised as one of the best television producers in the Irish-language sector.
At the time of her death, she was finishing a television series, Amhráin Aduaidh, on the great Irish-language songs of Ulster.
Her outstanding work was probably The Bothy Boy, a documentary on the late singer Míchéal Ó Domhnaill. This was nominated for a Celtic Media Award.
Before moving into television, she had been an excellent radio broadcaster.
Bríd was enthusiastic about her work. She was particularly good at putting people at their ease.
Thus she had the ability to get the best out of participants in programmes. She coaxed those who lacked confidence in their Irish to speak it easily and naturally.
Colleagues found her a pleasure to work with. She was always willing to take advice.
Even in pressurised situations, she could joke and be cheerful.
Outside of work, music played a big part in Bríd’s life. She was an excellent flute player, regularly taking part in traditional music sessions around Belfast. She had an arrangement with a male musician: she would iron two shirts for him and in return he taught her one tune.
Bríd was generous. She worked in Zambia for six months with Concern. Two days before her death Bríd offered a colleague’s family the use of her house while their home was being extended.
Bríd said she would have no problem living on a building site – while her colleague’s small children shouldn’t have to.
Bríd was born in January 1982, the younger of two daughters and the second of four children, to Ciarán and Clare Maloney.
She grew up in Stabannon, Co Louth, and went to the local national school.
From a young age, she was enthusiastic about the Irish language and attended secondary school at the all-Irish Coláiste Rís in Dundalk.
After completing her Leaving Cert, she went to NUI Galway, to study Irish and English.
On graduating, Bríd travelled for a year. Returning to Ireland, she completed a management course. She then managed a sports shop in Newry for a year.
This was not the career she wanted.
She returned to Galway to complete a masters in broadcast journalism, working in the sector until her untimely death.
She is survived by her parents Clare and Ciarán; sister Mary, brothers Darragh and Donal; grandmother Mary Ellen Kelly; seven aunts and nine uncles.
Bríd Maloney, born January 31st, 1982; died May 11th 2012