RICHARD Mulcahy, the veteran racecourse and point-to-point announcer, will be laid to rest today (Saturday) following 12 noon Mass in Rathcormac, Co Cork.

He passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on Tuesday.

Irish Racecourse Integrity Services (IRIS) posted on social media: “It’s with profound sadness that we mourn the sudden passing of Richard Mulcahy earlier this week.

“Richard was a huge part of the Bart J. Arnold, TVM & IRIS family. Having started in 1978 with Battie, he was the first cameraman to cover horse racing in Ireland, and they dabbled in selling Diceabed on the side.

“Throughout his career he worked with us across horseracing both on track and point-to-points, drama and music festivals, PA installations, and gymkhanas. He even built a few point-to-point fences fences in his day.

“The stories many of us have of Richard are being shared this week and will be for the months ahead. They could fill a book or two! He was our lovable rogue. We’ll miss his hearty laugh and tales of gallivanting in the early years.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, our dear friend Rich.”

Commentator Richard Pugh described him as “the true voice of Irish point-to-points for decades” and “a gent with a great welcome to all on the circuit.”

In June 2012 he received a standing ovation from a crowd of 650 people at the Point-to-Point Awards in Cork’s Silver Springs Hotel when he was named the recipient of the Personality Award.

He had been 30 years in the job at that time and was working as usual as recently as last Sunday.

In a heartfelt tribute running to over 2,700 words, Brian Arnold said in an online blog: “Richard was unflappable on the microphone and he had the perfect voice for it. From a quiet November Thursday in Thurles to a heaving Gowran Park on Thyestes Day, you heard every word.

“My Sundays along with so many other people, won’t be the same without Richie Mul.

“The Lismore meeting takes place this Sunday but there will be one man, and in particular one voice, that will be missing. We’ll have a minute’s silence and we’ll have one in Kilworth, Ballynoe and Liscarroll too at the end of the month, but by then I’ve no doubt they’ll have welcomed you with open arms through the pearly gates and called out “Winner alright, winner alright” one last time.

Richard Mulcahy is survived by his wife Sheila and daughters Carmel and Margaret.