Viewers were blown away by last night’s RTE documentary on the life of the late broadcaster, Marian Finucane.
The acclaimed presenter passed away in her Kildare home in January 2020, at the age of 69.
In the documentary, her husband John Clarke revealed the pair had just returned home from an incredible trip to India a few days prior to her death. Marian, who had a heart condition, died from pneumonia.
He thought his beloved wife was sleeping, but when he went to check on her some time later, realised she was no longer with him.
“I came back and she was still sleeping. I went in and looked at her, and she was dead. I just couldn’t believe it,” he said on the RTE doc.
The show followed her incredible career and took a look at her personal life, showcasing how wonderful a person Marian was, in every sense.
Viewers were blown away, and took to social media to share their adoration.
I’m blown away by the honesty of Marian Finucane’s husband John in the documentary on @rte now.
She was, as we all know a true powerhouse of broadcasting but this gives such an incredible insight into the woman behind the microphone.
So moving & so raw.
John I am in awe of you.— Síle Seoige (@SileSeoige) January 4, 2021
This is a superb programme on the late Marian Finucane. A real privilege to have met her and been a guest on her programme. A brilliant journalist and a warm person. #marian
— Larry Donnelly (@LarryPDonnelly) January 4, 2021
Just watched the Marian Finucane programme on @RTEOne what a special beautiful & taltented lady so sadly missed and one of kind 🙏😢 life is precious ….
— Neven Maguire (@nevenmaguire) January 4, 2021
This doc on Marian Finucane is outstanding. Her show was a soundtrack to our weekends for many years and, more importantly, herself and her husband seem like the kinda people you’d love to get stuck in a pub with…
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) January 4, 2021
Beautiful portrait of Marian Finucane by her husband John. What a special relationship they had. A broadcasting giant, but so much more away from the mic. What an inspiration #marian
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) January 4, 2021
John Clarke speaking about Marian Finucane on @RTEOne is heartbreakingly beautiful. What an incredible woman. And what a wonderful pair. ❤️
— Jessica Courtney Leen (@Jess_C_Leen) January 4, 2021
Absolutely beautiful and deeply moving documentary on the irreplaceable Marian Finucane. Feminism, grief, loss. And the enduring power of love. #marian
— Deirdre Byrnes (@DeirdreByrnes2) January 4, 2021
‘My Marian…she made the colours brighter’.
A wonderful tribute by Marian Finucane’s husband John. Gone a year, that’s put a bit of perspective on the day.
— Julie Connelly 👩💻@home (@JulieC796) January 4, 2021
Marian began working with RTE in 1976 and continued to do so up until 2019.
At the time of her death, RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes said: “We learned today of the sudden passing of Marian Finucane with profound shock and sadness.
“Marian was a broadcaster of immense capability; a household name, she was first and foremost a tenacious journalist with a zeal for breaking new ground.
“From Women Today to Liveline to her weekday radio show on Radio 1 and, latterly, her enormously popular Saturday and Sunday radio programme, she tackled the big social issues of the day with command and insight.
“Multi-skilled, she forged a distinguished career on television, as well as undertaking significant charity work in Africa. Ireland has lost a unique voice. RTÉ has lost a beloved colleague. My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to her husband John and son Jack.”