Burke, Mick
July 02, 2010
Mick Burke - The Voice of farming in Kilkenny now silent
For over 30 years, he was the voice of farming in Kilkenny and the South East. Mick Burke's informative tones will be heard no more.
The 61-year-old who presented a weekly farming programme on KCLR ('Down To Earth') and formerly Radio Kilkenny for many years succumbed to a serious illness last week. He lost his fight for life with his family by his bedside at Waterford Regional Hospital.
To many he will be known as stalwart of O'Loughlin Gaels GAA club, to others a dedicated farmer, to his family a loving and caring husband, father and sibling, but to most he was the voice of farming, a man you could trust who was always honest and always fair.
Here his great friend and co-presenter of the farm programme on KCLR96 fm, George Candler pays tribute to Mick: "Born and bred on the family farm in Dunmore, outside the city, he continued that great tradition of working on the land when he left school.
"Mick Burke had many other interests and music was one of them. He formed a band with some pals from the Dunmore area namely Pat Callanan, Seamus Callanan and Tom Hickey and a few others. This group had many names - Atlantis, Moving On, The Cavemen (after the famous landmark in Dunmore). They played at many gigs throughout the South East and Mick was on drums and vocal.
"Later Mick became involved in the disco scene and held many events in the golf club, rugby club, and tennis club. Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny had him doing disco music, which everyone enjoyed. He became so popular that he could have three or four gigs on the same night and he would have to get others to help him out. Many went on to get involved in local radio, like Pat Treacy, John Walsh, Kevin Hennessy, John Kinsella, Pat Maher and the late Mick Breen. Even 'yours truly' did a few events for him.
"In the late 1970s a man called Mick Minogue, with the help of a few more willing souls, decided that Kilkenny could do with a local Radio. Knowing Mick Burke was a farmer and used to microphones, he was asked to become the voice of Farming. He approached me about doing a regular slot and since Kilkenny Mart was held on a Thursday, he felt that it would be a good evening to report on the up to date prices.
"Thus an association of over 30 years began. In the beginning it was difficult to get people involved in agriculture to come on the show and we often spent evenings discussing many aspects of farming to fill the programme. That did not last very long and as technology started to improve, Mick Burke's voice began to be heard further afield. People knew he was serious about his subject and was very informed of all the new happenings.
"When Radio Kilkenny ceased in Ballycallan, Mick Burke continued his great work in Hebron Road K.C.R. (Kilkenny Community Radio) and later he took up the mantle on the Dublin Road, the now KCLR.
"Mick had a passion for agriculture and he informed me many years ago that he would love to get involved with the National Broadcaster, RTE as an agricultural journalist. I suggested he should go for it, but he said he did not have the necessary qualifications. This conversation came to mind on the tribute show last Thursday night when former IFA President, Padraic Walsh, said that 'Down to Earth', presented by Mick Burke was without fear or favour the best farming programme on radio in Ireland.
Matt Dempsey, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, stated that Mick Burke was a serious and well informed broadcaster, who's sudden passing caused genuine sadness and shock to all who knew him.
"Professor Jimmy Burke of Teasasc stated he had a superb knowledge of his subject and his sudden passing creates a big void. Many TD's, MEPs, listeners and farmers text or phoned the station with messages of sympathy. John Bryan, Kilkenny man and president of the IFA stated he had lost a good friend and mentioned Mick's help throughout the years. His association with O'Loughlin Gaels was also mentioned by its Chairman, Michael Nolan who told us of Mick's work with the Club - he looked after pitches, collected money for parking during big matches in Nowlan Park, helped out with under age teams and many more chores. He will be sadly missed.
"Kilkenny Lions Club were also anxious to be associated with the tributes and Richie McEvoy, on behalf of the Club, mentioned the amount of money raised by Mick on the farming programme for the Annual Hamper Appeal which is held each Christmas in association with KCLR and Kilkenny People Newspaper. Local charities were the big winners.
"There were many more tributes from people far and near but time and space curtails me. Suffice to say that the Burke family appreciated them all and took them to their heart.
"On Friday evening a guard of honour was formed made up of members of the IFA, O'Loughlin Gaels, Radio Kilkenny, and Teagasc, which escorted Mick's remains from the funeral home to St. John's Church. This was repeated on Saturday morning as Mick was laid to rest in his beloved Dunmore.
The funeral service was very moving and the large attendance showed in what high esteem Mick Burke was held. His passing after only a short few weeks of illness was a shock and tremendous loss to everyone who knew him but is particularly painful for his beloved wife Nuala, son James and daughters Michelle and Margaret, brothers Liam and Paddy and sister Maura and the extended Burke and Sweeney families. To all of them we offer our sincere and genuine sympathy.
"On my own behalf, Thursday nights will never be the same again. The farming programme has lost its soul and 'Down to Earth' as we knew it will be no more, KCLR will continue its support and broadcasting of farmers matters, but whoever takes the baton from Mick Burke will have a very difficult act to follow.
Mick Burke - respected broadcaster, clubman, farmer, colleague and friend - may he rest in peace."
Courtesy of Kilkenny People
2nd July 2010
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