To say that Arthur Quinlan led a remarkable life would be a massive understatement.
Arthur Quinlan, who was considered a “master of executing international scoops”, interviewed every US President from Harry Truman to George H. W. Bush and was the only western journalist to interview Che Guevara. Sadly, Quinlan passed away just before Christmas but left behind a legacy that would be the envy of any journalist today.
Known as the self-styled “Shannon airport correspondent”, Arthur Quinlan was driven by passion and self-belief. Mr Quinlan started working for the Irish Times in 1945 after graduating from UCD with BA in English Literature and History. He worked out of Shannon airport in a career that spanned more than 50 years. Not only did he interview world leaders but he also interviewed the Duke of Edinburgh, Grace Kelly and Hollywood legend Cary Grant.
One of the defining moments of his career was his interview with Che Guevara. When Dr Guevara was forced to spend a night in Ireland whilst travelling from Prague to Havana in 1965, it was only Arthur Quinlan who managed to get the interview that every Irish journalist was after. How? By playing off his Irish ancestry. Quinlan knew that Guevara’s grandparents were Irish and used this to his advantage. While Guevara didn’t speak of politics just mainly of his Irish heritage, to be able to say that you were the only western journalist to interview Che Guevara is a huge achievement.
NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley said: “He will be remembered for his passionate commitment to the Mid West region. He had a great sense of fun and was a wonderful story teller.”
On 22nd December 2012, we lost a legend in print journalism. I can only hope that my career in journalism lasts as long as Arthur Quinlan’s and is half as successful.
