Uaneen Fitzsimons (11 April 1971 – 22 November 2000) was an Irish music critic, television presenter and DJ. She presented alternative music programmes on
RTÉ
(RTÉ) (; Irish language, Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the Public broadcaster, national broadcaster of Republic of Ireland, Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on RTÉ Television, telev ...
television and radio during the 1990s and became an influential music critic and popular media personality in Ireland.
Fitzsimons was born in the village of
Ardglass, Co. Down on 11 April 1971.
She worked in the newsroom of
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland ( ga, BBC Thuaisceart Éireann; Ulster-Scots: ''BBC Norlin Airlan'') is a division of the BBC and the main public broadcaster in Northern Ireland. It is widely available across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ire ...
before moving to Dublin to study. She received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the
Dublin City University
Dublin City University (abbreviated as DCU) ( ga, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath) is a university based on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. Created as the ''National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin'' in 1975, it enrolled its f ...
in 1994.
While living in Dublin she reviewed bands for the teen television programme
Jo Maxi
''Jo Maxi'', named after Dublin slang for a taxi, was an Irish teenage entertainment show which would report on teenage issues. The presenters would discuss issues relating to teenagers through reports and studio discussions. They would also re ...
and worked at the
Ormond Multi-Media Centre Ormond may refer to:
People
*Ormond (surname)
* Earl of Ormond (Ireland)
* Earl of Ormond (Scotland)
* Ormond Wilson (1907–1988), New Zealand politician
Places
Ireland
* Ormond (ancient Irish kingdom), in the province of Munster
* Two baronies ...
. In 1997 she began working for RTÉ Cork as the presenter and researcher for
No Disco
''No Disco'' is RTÉ's former flagship music television programme, broadcast on Irish television channel, Network 2, from 1993 – 2003. It was presented by Donal Dineen, Uaneen Fitzsimons and, following the death of Fitzsimons, Lawrence " ...
, an alternative music television programme created by
Donal Dineen. In 1999 she also started hosting a late-night radio show on
RTÉ 2fm.
Presenting on both television and radio for national broadcaster gave her a large influence on the Irish music scene.
In her obituary in
Hot Press, the news magazine described her as "a remarkable young woman whose passion for music made her one of the most widely respected and genuinely loved people in the history of Irish music".
Fitzimons died on 22 November 2000 in
Ballaghmore, near
Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois when the car she was traveling in collided with a lorry which was traveling on the wrong side of the road.
Dublin City University created the Uaneen Fitzsimons Award, given to students who have contributed significantly to the social and academic life of the university through extra curricular activity.
References
External links
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Alumni of Dublin City University
Irish DJs
People from County Down
RTÉ television presenters
1990s in Irish music