Kieran Hegarty:Kieran Hegarty, who has died at the age of 51, was BBC Northern Ireland's first Irish-language producer and an award-winning programme maker. He had a passionate commitment to radio and television programmes, as well as new interactive developments in broadcasting, and had worked on several groundbreaking series.
Hegarty was born in Derry in 1956 and was one of 12 children. Educated at St Columb's College, he later went to Queen's University Belfast, where he graduated with a first-class honours in Celtic studies.
After a spell as a teacher he began his BBC career in 1983, starting as a producer. He quickly moved to the position of chief producer and established the Irish-language unit in the BBC's headquarters in Belfast.
Over the next 24 years, Hegarty went on to lead the evolution of the BBC's minority languages - both Irish and Ulster-Scots - as well as its educational output. He helped in the expansion of online learning for schools and in the enhancement of BBC programmes to meet the demands of the changing school curriculum.
His wide-ranging track record included documentaries, lifestyle programmes, music, drama and animation. Many of the programmes were written by him and they all benefited from his scholarship.
A television documentary that Hegarty produced, Dá mBíodh Ruball ar an Éan (If the Bird had a Tail) about the life and work of Donegal writer Seosamh Mac Grianna, won an award at the Celtic Film and Television Festival in 1993.
As well as being a committed and creative programme maker, Hegarty nurtured and encouraged the work of a succession of new producers and broadcasters. He was in charge of more than 50 staff and he gave them the space they needed to grow in their jobs.
In 1999 he was the executive producer of a memorable radio series called Legacy. It comprised a daily two-minute broadcast featuring interviews with people affected by the Troubles.
The series, on BBC Radio Ulster, ran each day throughout the year. It told, for the first time, the harrowing stories of people caught up in civil strife and whose lives, in many cases, were changed irrevocably.
Legacy was labelled "the voice for the voiceless". The series reflected the tragic events of lives lost and is considered an important social record that will be of significance to future historians.
The recent growth of interactive services was something that fascinated Hegarty. He embraced technological change, striving to find new and effective ways to reach audiences through radio, television and online.
Hegarty represented many of the BBC's best values. He was excited about the opportunities presented by new media and by the multiplatform aspect of broadcasting that incorporates websites and podcasts. With the move from a dedicated schedule to on-demand broadcasting, Hegarty felt that the BBC should be distinctive, innovative and imaginative in what it delivered and that the quality of its output - whatever the format - should be paramount.
A member of the BBC's senior management board in Northern Ireland, Hegarty was a respected ambassador for the organisation in the wider community. For several years he chaired the Irish jury at the Celtic Media Festival. He was also instrumental in helping to shape the development of the recently established Irish Language Broadcast Fund, which grew out of the Belfast Agreement.
At the time of his illness Hegarty was head of interactive and learning at BBC Northern Ireland, which included responsibility for life-long learning. For the past year he had been unwell, but despite living with a heart condition that caused him considerable discomfort - his death came after unsuccessful heart surgery - he never lost his kindness or sense of humour.
One of his colleagues, Antaine Ó Donnaile, a senior producer who worked alongside him, described him as "a trusted friend who had a deep respect for all communities and cultures, and a man of integrity, tolerance and vision who made a lasting contribution to broadcasting, particularly in the Irish language".
Apart from his passion for documentary and programme making, Hegarty's interests incorporated many aspects of Irish life and culture: hill walking, singing, poetry and cooking were among his enthusiasms.
Kieran Hegarty is survived by his wife Caroline, sons Lorcan, Ferghal and Colum, daughter Éadaoinhis, his mother Sarah and by two brothers and four sisters.
Kieran Hegarty: born February 26th, 1956; died October 29th, 2007