The film-maker and wildlife conservationist Éamon de Buitléar (83) of Delgany, Co Wicklow has died.
Mr de Buitléar was one of Ireland’s first independent film-makers, and was passionate about the natural world. He was also deeply involved in Irish traditional music and enjoyed a long association with Seán Ó Riada.
He co-produced and originated the Amuigh Faoin Spéir series (Out Under the Sky) with Dutch artist Gerrit Van Gelderen, and the programme was credited with creating a much needed appreciation of the Irish environment. Throughout a distinguished career his programme credits included The Natural World and The Living Isles ( BBC) and television series Exploring the Landscape, Irelands Wild Countryside, A Life in the Wild (RTÉ) Wild Islands (RTÉ, STV and S4C) Nature Watch (ITV). He was also involved in the establishment of traditional music group Ceoltóirí Chualann (1960-1969). In 1986, his television programme, Cois Farraige leis an Madra Uisce, won a Jacob’s Award and in 1987 he was appointed by the government to the Seanad.
In 1991 Mr de Buitléar was awarded an honorary degree in Science by the National University of Ireland and in 1992 he was granted the UCD (University College Dublin) Lifetime Environmental Achievement Award.
