Michael Finlan, who has died aged 92, was a print journalist and broadcaster with a distinctive lyrical style during his time as western correspondent for The Irish Times. Combining his fluency in writing with an engaging wit, some of his Irish Times sketches during the Charles Haughey era were so sharp that the former taoiseach sought him out when he was in Galway.
Mayo native had distinguished, lengthy career with media outlets including the Western People, Irish News Agency, the Irish Press and later The Irish Times
With Aer Lingus offering daily flights to London and Ryanair marking 10 million passengers passing through the airport, Ireland West is on course for its busiest ever year