Tributes paid to radio host Henry Owens

Well known radio presenter Henry Owens has died today after a battle with throat cancer, at the age of 52.

Henry got his first radio gig at South Coast Radio in the early 1980s and went on to work at Radio Nova and Q102.

After working his way up from presenter to Managing Director at Atlantic 252, he went on to make a big impact on the UK radio scene, having been part of the team setting up Galaxy at Chrysalis Radio and PD of Virgin Radio for a time.

Returning to his native Ireland, Henry set up Cork’s Red FM and was launch director, Managing Director and Programme Director of the station from 2001 to 2005. He then went to work in Northern Ireland at Cool FM and Downtown Radio till 2009.

Henry then set up OWENSMEDIA providing radio solutions.

Tributes from friends and colleagues so far include:

iRadio Assistant PD Mark Cunning: “Shocked and very sad to hear my old boss Henry Owens/ Condon has passed away. Great guy and a radio guru. RIP.”

Consultant Paul Chantler: “RIP top radio guy Henry Owens. What a nice man.”

Presenter Joel Ross: “Sad news about Henry Owens passing away. Remember my interview at Galaxy 102”

Former Chrysalis Radio colleague Phil Riley: “Very sad to hear the passing of Irish Radio legend Henry Owens. Great guy and important member of early Chrysalis management team.”

Jason Bryant, Town and Country Broadcasting: “Henry was a great guy, a cornerstone of the Atlantic 252 success story and a good colleague at CLT Radio in the 1990s. RIP Henry.”

Presenter David Baker: “RIP henry owens gifted programmer and broadcaster”

Brian McColl: “Henry Owens – a man you can thank for laying the groundwork for your radio career. Know he was here and that he made a difference. RIP :-(”

Enda Caldwell: “Henry Owens, Rest In Peace”

Clive Warren: “Henry Owens has died. My boss at Virgin Radio. On first my tour of the station he said ‘Wait ’til ya see dis!’ (Guiness on draft). Farewell.”

Paul Kavanagh,  Managing Director at Riviera Radio in Monaco: “I worked with Henry for many years in the Dublin Radio and he was then a key part of making Atlantic 252 one of the most successful radio stations ever in the UK. The whole industry and in particular I will miss him very much. Unfortunately the good seems to leave us early. Henry was one of the people who we were lucky to have. Thanks Henry it will not be the same without you.”

He leaves his wife and 17 year old daughter who were with him when he died at Mary Mount Hospice – opposite Red FM’s studio building in Cork.