Dr Aodhagán Ó Rodaighe - 1941- 2011

   The members of the Irish Meteorological Society were greatly saddened to learn of the sudden death on 21 October, 2011, of our good friend and faithful fellow-member, Dr. Aodhagán Roddy.

   Aodhagán was among the founder members of the Society and served a record seven years as its President. In addition, he served as a member of the IMS Committee for more than half of its thirty-year history. He travelled from Galway to Dublin regularly to attend the Society’s meetings and occasionally to deliver a lecture.

  Aodhagán was born in Galway and took his bachelor’s degree in physics at UCG (later NUIG) in 1962. After his MSc, also taken at UCG, he went on to Edinburgh for his PhD, which he obtained in 1967. Edinburgh brought him far more than his PhD; it was there that he met his wife, Liz.

  He spent 2 years as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Colorado State University, doing research on ice nucleation. He was appointed to the staff of the Physics Department at UCG in 1969 and worked there for 37 years, retiring in 2006. His duties included teaching physics as Gaeilge to first year students. His research interests ranged from ice nucleation to noctilucent clouds, global warming and greenhouse gases. He served for many years on the Mace Head Management Committee and also as UCG’s Dean of Science.

  On a personal note, my auld acquaintance with Aodhagán stretched back many years. His father was schools inspector in County Wexford when I was in primary school. I often joked with Aodhagán about how the news that “Roddy is coming” (possibly spread via the bush telegraph) would strike terror into the hearts of teachers and pupils alike. Aodhagán’s habit of filing everything was legendary and when our Secretary, Emily, was seeking out details about the early history of the IMS in connection with its thirtieth anniversary celebration, he was able to unearth a letter I had sent him in 1981, asking for his support in setting up the Society.

  Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Aodhagán and working with him over the years will miss him greatly. In his quiet, unhurried, way, he dedicated himself conscientiously to everything he took on. The IMS won’t be the same without him. We extend our sincerest sympathy to Liz and to his family.

                                                                                                       Ray Bates